Cape Coral Weekend Breeze

Council concensus on the Yacht Club: Raze it

Resident response: Former board member, ‘pioneer,’ submits application to have Ballroom registered as an historic site

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

By a consensus vote Wednesday, a majority of Cape Coral City Council members directed the city’s top administrator to stay on course with the planned demolition of the Cape Coral Yacht Club

“At some point we have to make a decision for the best interest of the future I am planning for the next 60 years My decision has not changed.”

By a 5-2 vote, the elected board opted to continue with plans for a multi-million upgrade that was discussed at a Council retreat in January, paving the way for the Ballroom building that dates back to the city’s

founding to come down Council members Tom Hayden and Bob

Cape Coral’s Emergency Management Division planning to best protect residents

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

just takes one storm to make it an active year

Fire Chief and Emergency

M a n a g e m e n t D i r e c t o r R y a n

L a m b a n d N a t i o n a l W e a t h e r Service of Tampa Bay Area

M e t e o r o l o g i s t D a n i e l N o a h , spoke to city staff in regard to how to keep vigilant from June 1 to Nov 30

Welsh dissented

Mayor John Gunter said the building had a 40-year life expectancy and they are now at 60 years

“At some point we have to make a decision for the best interest of the future I am planning for the next 60 years,” Gunter said, adding that putting Band-Aids on the dated structure for the next 20 years is not the

See YACHT CLUB, page 24

Teen drivers urged to take extra care

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

With the school year just about in the rearview mirror and freedom at their fingertips, what experts call the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers has commenced

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, an average of seven people are killed per day in teen driver-related crashes, according to AAA Nationwide, 31% of deaths involving teen drivers take place over the 100-day span According to AAA, there are 2,341 deaths per year connected to teen crashes, with 732 coming in the aforementioned window

“Summer is historically a dangerous time for teen drivers,” stated AAA spokesperson, Mark Jenkins “Now that school is out, teens will spend more time on the road, often driving with friends at odd hours of the day and night Because of their inexperience, teens are more susceptible to dangerous driving behaviors like speeding, driving distracted, and not wearing a safety belt AAA urges parents to model safe driving behavior and reinforce safe driving habits with their teen drivers to help keep them safe this summer ”

know, no matter what meteorologists pred i c t a b o u t t h e A t l a n t i c Hurricane season early on, it

“The way the weather warning system works in our country is called the Integrated Warning Team,” Noah said

M e d i a c o m m u n i c a t e s t h e threat to the public, the National See HURRICANE, page 9 capecoralbreeze.com

AAA officials say traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens 16 to 19 For every mile driven, new teen drivers (16-17) are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults, AAA said

In Florida, AAA said on average, 153 teen drivers are involved in fatal crashes each year, with 40 (26%) occurring during the

See 100 DAYS, page 23

Mayor John Gunter

Donated duplex allows hands-on training exercise for CCFD

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Cape Coral Fire Department trainees got some hands-on experience in the field Tuesday thanks to a donated structure

Firefighters fresh out of the academy spent the day simulating various real-life scenarios in a real-life structure Gulf Coast Village donated a duplex marked for demolition thanks to Hurricane Ian damage located at 152 S E 13th St for new CCFD firefighters to use during orientation Officials said this allows them to hone their skills throughout the month as they prepare to go on shift

These firefighters practice radio operations/dispatch, fire attack, search and rescue, water supply, ventilation and rapid intervention The Rapid Intervention Team is a dedicated team of firefighters ready to rescue other firefighters who become trapped in a structure or hazard

“We basically just run them through some of the skills (they need) and scenarios they may be faced with,” said CCFD Training Lt Jordan Lowther, who was on-site Tuesday “It worked out good with the duplex It gives us a more realistic trial run Today, they’re going through the basic stuff like forceable entry, search, (etc ) ”

Seasoned firefighters accompany the trainees to guide them and ensure proper protocols are being implemented

“I think they’re doing very well,” Lowther said of his trainees “A lot of them have just come out of fire school, so they haven’t been faced with this actual scenario It’s good for us to run them through it and let them see what it’s going to be like, and actually have an online guy guiding them I think it went well ”

Lowther said when structures are donated, they’re used for as long as possible with different crews rotating to hone specific crafts.

“Every crew will try to get an hour or two with the donated building,” Lowther said “Other than that, we’re out look-

ing at other buildings in the area in our district, (and) running through our regular (training) at the station

“When we get something donated We spend all of our time here If we have a donated structure, there’s going to be crews here doing it every single day until we don’t have it any more ”

Lowther said having a tangible, more realistic space to train is an invaluable resource

“We’re getting to see real doors, real rooms We’re getting to pull the hose through pinch-points and all that,” he said. “It’s a lot more realistic when we have something to actually go to It’s very beneficial ”

Lowther said firefighters will work the same scenarios over and over until things are polished Often times the training personnel will throw a curveball at them, or use their own experience in the field to help guide new firefighters

“Throughout the day, we’ll just throw little things in there we may come across, or something that we may have experienced, just to try to throw them off the routine and get them to think outside the box,” Lowther said Regional Vice President of Volunteers of America National Services Ann Walsh said, “Gulf Coast Village made the determination after Hurricane Ian, because of the damage, that these buildings would need to come down We thought we would reach out to the Cape Coral Fire Department and offer these two structures (another location was provided for the entire month of May) to give them an opportunity to train in real housing structures here in Cape Coral ”

In a statement, CCFD Chief Ryan Lamb said, “Until we have a fire training facility in Cape Coral, our training capabilities are enhanced by the generosity of community partners who donate structures, like Gulf Coast Village This provides firefighters the opportunity to be able to practice these skills, which are usually done with props, in a realistic setting ”

CJ HADDAD

Cape firefighters fresh out of the academy simulated various real-life scenarios Monday in a reallife structure donated to the CCFD by Gulf Coast Village

OPINIONS

CAPE CORAL BREE ZE

RAYMOND M. ECKENRODE Publisher

VALARIE HARRING, Executive Editor

CHRIS STRINE, Editor

2510 Del Prado Blvd • Cape Coral, FL, 33904

• Phone 239-574-1110 – Fax 239-574-5693

‘Hub and heart’ of Cape Coral may beat no more

Two years ago, almost to the day, The Breeze published a special commemorative section marking the 60th anniversary of the Cape Coral Yacht and Racquet Club

Prepared in conjunction with the Cape Coral Museum of History and written by Cape Coral City Councilmember Tom Hayden, a member of the museum’s board, the section highlighted the facility built and dedicated by the community’s founders, Jack and Leonard Rosen, brothers who saw what others had not the potential for a waterfront wonderland

Let us share some of the history Councilmember Hayden provided for the anniversary edition:

The dedication for the complex on Driftwood Parkway was held on June 10, 1962, just four years after the first family moved into the community’s first house on Riverside Drive

Nearly 2,000 welcomed the opening of what those first residents came to call “the hub and the heart” of their fledgling community

As Councilmember Hayden pointed out, 2,000 was, well, pretty much everyone, and they were bedecked in their best to welcome a complex on par with a private country club

Clubhouse replete with grand ballroom with a wall of glass overlooking the pool Game and dining rooms Tennis courts

A fishing pier jutting well into the river for anglers A sandy riverfront beach

All with free membership for those who also saw the potential in a community with still just a scattering of new homes

“Many families spend small fortunes to attain similar Club benefits,” Gulf American Land Corporation President Leonard Rosen wrote in his letter welcoming club members “Yet, as a Cape Coral homesite owner, you and your family can now enjoy all the wonderful facilities of our Club without payment of membership fees or dues for three full years ”

The Cape’s population now has long crossed the 200,000 milestone

The waterfront that was indeed a wonderland to Cape “pioneers” and those who followed, enticed by the natural beauty of the riverfront and the manmade attraction of 400 miles of machined canals, has become, well, too valuable to waste on the lawn-chair-in-the-sand, towel-by-the-pool, enjoy-a-community-barbecue crowd.

Cape Coral City Council has decided that the old Ballroom where the Cape’s first clubs met, where many of the original churches held their first services will go the way of the Cape’s other historic landmarks that have fallen one by one as the times and their benefits vs cost equation changed

The Yacht Club, the city’s last-standing relic, will be demolished, Council decided by consensus Wednesday

Not due to damage from Hurricane Ian as the public has been led to believe for months

But from something as manmade as the canals that distinguished the Cape from all those other pre-platted, land-boom developments neglect

Millions and millions of dollars worth to bring the Ballroom back not to its former glory, but to repair the damage wrought by the city’s failure to maintain the “crown jewel” amenity it purchased from the developers in 1973

To be fair, city staff refers to the repairs needed from the roof above to the plumbing beneath as “deferred maintenance ”

The Yacht Club Ballroom

On Wednesday, at the Committee of the Whole Meeting, (not a voting meeting) there was consensus given to the city manager to continue the plans for demolition of the Yacht Club Ballroom These plans are based largely on the fact that the building was not maintained It needed a roof, AC and windows before the hurricane

The building had no water damage, a broken window and door where rain came through I respect the decision of the City Council members, but it is my duty and responsibility as a resident of this City to stand up and be heard I encourage all of you to attend the June 7 meeting at 4:30 to let your voice be heard about this building

T h e r e i s m u c h c o n v e r s a t i o n a b o u t memories and saving parts of the building for historical value This is not about memories; they are feelings and emotions that stay with you for a lifetime and you can pass on to the next generation This is about a town that started with eight homes and a Yacht Club Community Park for the residents of Cape Coral It is where we began and to think that we will not move forward to declare this building historical when it is OUR HISTORY AND OUR BEGINNING IS not fundamentally sound judgement

Tate Guest Commentary

mum of $20 million Are we the taxpayers going to pay for this debt over the next 3050 years? That is what we are giving the next generation, not a building that sustains time, but more debt than the city needs to incur We do need a parking garage, we do need to move the boat ramp, grow the beach and restore the seawalls, add a harbor master house All that will take money that we will bond and borrow, but we do not need to go in d e b t f o r a b u i l d i n g t h a t w i l l b e e a s i l y restored

The city manager gave a scenario whereby we can fix the building within the 50/50 FEMA rule. There is also the strong possibility of historical status which would lessen the criteria The mayor stated he read the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and we do not qualify, but he did not look at the State Historic preservation paperwork which a group of us have already started We will file for this application and pursue this designation

I heard all the arguments yesterday concerning the $35 million that it would cost to preserve, harden and restore the building The “bones are broken,” we need to rebuild for the next generation and the build out of our population at 500,000 Another comment was if we can fix it for $3-5 million that is the price of a new building Ask anyone in construction, a new two-story multi-use building in today’s construction market will be a mini-

Legacy of lies

To the editor:

In a city where the residents have lost so much, possibly this is the time to bring back our recreation in as easy a fashion as possible, so we can begin to live again The $3-5 million will restore the building, the beach is in the process of being opened and we can re-open the pool with less than $35,000 So why not give our residents what they long for? A place to swim, relax and enjoy Even if you are planning to build a parking garage and do work that requires cranes, it can be done while keeping our beach and Yacht Club Ballroom open The City of Fort Myers had cranes all over the downtown when they were improving their waterfront and adding a hotel They

See GUEST COMMENTARY, page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I believe we have been lied to over the years about the condition of the Yacht Club’s Main Ballroom I know the city has wanted to tear down this beautiful building and put in more bars and transform the Yacht Club from family entertainment to a nightclub scene They tore out the pavilion, got rid of KC’s and began the transformation Now we find out there was only $25,000 in hurricane damage to the closed Ballroom. Who is kidding who?

Also, if we can allow the Boat House to open, why isn't the beach open for families to once again enjoy? Fort Myers and Sanibel beaches are opening up, why not the Cape?

Debbie Zalesky Cape Coral

Talk about wasted money

To the editor:

Gary Lane wrote, honestly, in a recent issue of The Breeze, that he’s a boater and wants the Chiquita lock removed because it’s a pain to deal with He mentions the anecdotal environmental evidence he and his wife have observed and it’s nice to hear the manatees like the canal he lives on and they don’t have red tide or algal blooms

The letter writer goes on to complain about the cost to the taxpayers of Cape Coral, in operating and maintaining such an old structure, which leads to my “What?!?!?”

What did the City of Cape Coral spend to purchase the parcels of unincorporated Lee County land west of Burnt Store Road a few years ago? What are they paying Lee County in taxes on those parcels each year?

What could be done with all that money that’s just sitting there while the city waits to sell it to some “deserving” developer (who will probably buy it at a loss to the city) and make a pile of loot in the end?

What’s in it for you, the taxpayer in Cape Coral? Certainly not tax relief!

It seems that you citizens of Cape Coral believe if projects are “implemented” and some problems “eliminated” that you should get what you want, and shouldn’t have to

abide by previous commitments, even if there was no improvement in the overall environmental situation

Dan Herfurth Matlacha

Preser ve Redfish Pointe

To the editor:

Cape Coral residents, many still recovering from Hurricane Ian, should oppose the Redfish Pointe development in the wetlands directly south of Rotary Park. Current zoning wisely calls for this land to be preserved

The proposed project would include 800 residential units, 300 hotel rooms, 38,000 square feet of commercial space, and a 200-slip marina on approximately 110 acres of the 350-acre property The developer envisions another Westin

My wife and I were first alerted to this development in 2021 Through a records request back then we learned that Cape Coral City department heads voiced great concern about the proposed development

Our Public Works Environmental Resources Manager General said,

“ T h i s p r o j e c t s e e m s i n c o n s i s t e n t w i t h t h e C i t y ’ s Conservation and coastal management GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND POLICIES ” (Her capitalization, not mine )

“The potential impacts to critical sawfish habitat and manatee populations with the proposed docks/marina are substantial ”

Besides ecological consequences, “placing infrastructure, residences, businesses, and people in a wetland that has very poor drainage and in the coastal flood hazard zone has potentially extensive impacts financially, for livelihoods, or life in general ”

“Removal of mangroves would weaken the buffering capacity of the mangrove area which protects the City against storms ”

Utilities Department Director Jeff Pearson said, “With the looming threat of sea level rise and climate change, I don’t believe it would be good for community climate

Member Florida Press Association

Gloria

Guest Commentary: Yacht Club

From page 4

did not close their downtown

In closing I encourage all residents and v i s i t o r s w h o l o v e t h e Y a c h t C l u b Ballroom to let your voices be heard, don’t speak about emotion but about facts, ask questions about long-term debt, other possible solutions and how we can preserve and protect our history.

The meeting is at 4:30 on June 7 Cape Coral City Council Chambers at City Hall, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd

Gloria Tate grew up in Cape Coral as member of one the Cape’s “pioneer” families She is a member of the Cape C o r a l M u s e u m o f H i s t o r y ’ s B o a r d o f Directors and a former member of the Cape Coral City Council

‘Preservation is simply having the good sense to hold on to things that are well designed, that link us with our past in a meaningful way, and that have plenty of good use left in them ’

Richard Moe, National Trust for Historic Preservation

HISTORIAL PHOTO PROVIDED

The Cape Coral Yacht and Racquet Club on Driftwood Parkway was dedicated on June 10, 1962 Its opening was part of a two-day celebration that included an open house, professional and swimming and tennis exhibitions, a barbecue, a formal dance and a water ski show All Cape property owners received a free three-year membership to enjoy the amenities.

Editorial: Destination or commercialization — where does the line lie?

From page 4

To be blunt, let us call it what it is negligence

Gross negligence of not only routine maintenance of the Cape’s lone remaining historic structure, which is bad enough

But illustrative of the erosion of the bedrock upon which our now burgeoning city was founded: Its sense of community, its sense of people

For while there was much the Rosens did wrong as they wrought a far-flung develop-

4

ment from environmentally fragile land, they did understand one thing well: How to make growth not only profitable, but palatable

That wasn’t just rooftops and restaurants, strip malls and shopping centers

It was a planned and concerted investment in public places and spaces that capitalized on the natural and unique beauty that was Cape Coral

The Yacht Club is more than a building, more than fading memories of grandeur past

It is the remaining symbol of the philoso-

change resiliency policy to continue permitting developments close to high hazard zones next to water ”

A recent study supports his concern It identified Cape Coral as being at particularly high risk from future hurricanes In fact, only eight other cities in the nation are at such high risk

Additionally, another report, which focuses exclusively on the benefits provided by coastal mangroves, notes that “annually, across multiple storms, mangroves reduce flood damages by 25 5% to properties behind them,” and that “during Hurricane Irma, over 626,000 people living behind mangrove forests saw reduced flooding in census tracts across Florida ” It noted that “during Irma, mangroves averted $1 5 billion in surge-related flood damages to properties ”

Too many Cape Coral residents, my wife and I included, have firsthand knowledge about surge-related flooding, and the more to be done to reduce it the better Making it worse by sacrificing yet more acres of wetlands and the storm protection they provide would be profoundly irresponsible

The city’s own website states, “By preserving the native vegetation consisting of salt marshes and mangrove communities, residents of Cape Coral gain significant protection The mangroves, in particular, stabilize the shoreline during hurricanes. The mangroves have prop roots, leaves, and branches that offer frictional resistance to flowing water This reduces storm erosion and decreases the speed of the flow of tidal inundation ”

This development wasn’t a good idea before Ian It is an even worse idea now Perhaps the only benefit we can make of that storm is to have learned that we must do all we can to preserve what remains of our natural storm protection Lee County Commissioners evidently learned this lesson They recently rejected the proposed Eden Oak development that was much smaller than this one

Additionally, this area is also a haven for wildlife, including threatened species, such as bald eagles, and the manatees and sawfish already mentioned, but coyotes, bobcats, racoons,

phy on which a community, a city, was built

Will the new Yacht Club complex, with its still-in-the-works concept pivoting to publicprivate partnerships for additional restaurants, a two-story community center to also serve as a bigger-better wedding or event venue, a waterfront walk around and a three-story parking garage be grand?

We think it will, indeed, be the destination its proponents hope for and more We will have a hub Of that we have no doubt

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

foxes, gopher tortoises, and migratory and non-migratory birds live there, too, and Cape Coral residents treasure our city’s wildlife and the city’s natural heritage, in general The great popularity of Rotary Park is testimony to this fact This project would harm what we value so highly

Readers can learn more at https://protectourwetlandsincapecoral org/ This new website provides further information including photos, illustrations, and videos, and will be updated regularly with the most current information

I urge Cape Coral residents to talk to their city council members. Write them. Make an appointment to talk personally with them Tell them publicly during the citizen input period at city council meetings that you oppose the proposed Redfish Pointe development

Joseph Bonasia Cape Coral

Local bans or not, fer tilizer use affects our waterways

To the editor:

Because most decisions made at the broadest level can best reflect the feedback from the people most affected, granting local authority some autonomy just makes good sense Local control or home rule is generally preferred for governing decisions that affect the locals the most But DeSantis’ GOP legislature passed a broad swath of legislation ranging from anti local control, to just plain disrespectful of Floridians

Locally we have lost the right to rent control; virtually the only mechanism that keeps housing affordable They have also passed a state law that overruled our local ordinance that prohibited fertilizing your lawn in the spring to prevent dangerous toxins from exacerbating red tide in our water Talk about fixing something that was not broken!

Red tide is a neurotoxin (neuro for brain, toxin for poison)

As we see the remaining few panthers in the wild unable to walk straight, do we really think more toxins in the water are good for the local wild life? Is there anyone in Southwest

Agree? Disagree? Weigh in!

But will the new Yacht Club have heart, will it be a pulse of the community?

That’s the conundrum

Swing too far and it’s not a destination, it’s commercialization, just another nice place to grab some crab cakes and a Chardonnay

The real question before Council is where on the pendulum they and more importantly, the residents want to be

Breeze editorial

Florida that thinks we need more smelly slime in our water? Only those in the slash and burn real estate market, who need neon green curb appeal to flip the property, could see a profit from the rest of us choking from impassable Cape Coral canals

Enough

Please refrain from using fertilizer during the spring and summer, when your water ways are the most vulnerable Ellen Starbird Cape Coral

This week’s poll question:

Are you prepared for hurricane season?

∫ Yes

∫ We gear up with the first warning

∫ We don’t prepare, we evacuate

∫ We play it by ear

Previous poll question

What should the city of Cape Coral do with the Cape Coral Yacht Club Ballroom building?

∫ Tear it down as has been discussed. It’s time for an upgrade to the park, including this building 76 3%

∫ It depends on where the city ultimately lands with FEMA’s 50% rules and costs to repair 5 3%

∫ Preserve it, it’s an historic building that dates back to the Cape’s founding The issues, including cost concerns, are due to neglect of maintenance, not Hurricane Ian 18 3%

To tal v o te s as o f pre s s ti me : 1 , 1 6 5

Poll results are not scientific and represent only the opinions of Internet users who have chosen to participate Vote at capecoralbreeze com

Letters, guest opinions, comments welcome

The v i e w s e x pre s s e d o n the Opi ni o ns pag e s are jus t that o pi ni o ns . The s e pag e s are i nte nde d to c o nv e y a rang e o f v i e w po i nts ; o pi ni o ns pri nte d o n thi s pag e do no t ne c e s s ari l y re f l e c t the v i e w s o f thi s ne w s pape r. Oppo s i ng v i e w s are w e l c o me . Le tte rs to the e di to r o r g ue s t c o l umns may be e - mai l e d to v harri ng @ bre e z e ne w s pape rs . c o m. A l l l e tte rs and g ue s t o pi ni o ns mus t be s i g ne d and mus t i nc l ude a pho ne numbe r f o r v e ri f i c ati o n purpo s e s . Re ade rs are al s o i nv i te d to c o mme nt o n any l e tte r o r e di to ri al o pi ni o n o nl i ne at: c ape c o ral bre e z e . c o m.

Weather-related PTSD a growing concern months after Hurricane Ian

Seven months after Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida, and with the 2023 hurricane season looming, we reflect on the mental health impacts for those still recovering from the devastation of fall 2022

If you’ve lived through a hurricane e s p e c i a l l y o n e w i t h t h e i n t e n s i t y o f

Hurricane Ian it’s common to feel traumatized, fearful and vulnerable in its aftermath Even a half-year after the storm, many survivors are still working to process and move beyond their traumatic experiences

It’s common to experience a range of intense emotions, from anxiety to depression for days, weeks or even months after the storm has passed. You may also experience a numbing effect, feelings of shock and a dissociation from reality

In some cases, your natural post-traumatic stress response from a weather-related incident may develop into a more serious mental health condition called posttraumatic stress disorder

What is PTSD?

PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster. PTSD causes people to feel intense fear, helplessness or engage in avoidance behaviors, like staying away from certain places

Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD And despite the common misconception, the diagnosis isn’t limited to combat veterans, either

C o m m o n s y m p t o m s o f P T S D c a n include flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression or feeling numb or “on edge ” These disruptions can negatively impact social interactions, work, school or other areas of daily life

Factors contributing to PTSD after a Hurricane

People who experience particularly traumatic events as a result of a hurricane, such as being trapped or injured, or suffering the loss of a loved one or pet, may be at higher risk for developing PTSD

It is common for individuals with PTSD to have other mental health conditions as well Depression, anxiety and substance use disorders are among the most common cooccurring conditions

Socioeconomic issues can also play a significant role in the development and management of PTSD after a hurricane People who are already struggling with poverty, homelessness, or other socioeconomic issues may be at higher risk for experiencing more severe symptoms of PTSD after a hurricane These issues can make it more difficult for individuals to prepare for and respond to a hurricane

Dosoretz Guest Commentary

plans will often include individual or group therapy Some people may need medication to help with some of the symptoms of PTSD

Talk therapy can be beneficial for individuals with PTSD after a hurricane Whether a person works 1:1 with a therapist or in a group, both options provide a safe and supportive environment for people to share their experiences following a traumatic event It also allows people to connect with others who have gone through similar experiences and learn healthy coping strategies from one another

soon as possible

There are also several steps to take to manage symptoms, including:

■ Stay connected with others: Building and maintaining social connections can help people feel supported and connected, which may help reduce negative symptoms

■ Practicing self-care: Engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation, such as exercise, meditation and hobbies, can help reduce symptoms and improve overall wellbeing

■ Limiting exposure to triggers: Limiting exposure to news and social media related to the hurricane, as well as avoiding triggers that can cause flashbacks or nightmares, can help manage symptoms.

Individuals whose home and communities were damaged or destroyed can experience added distress and prolonged mental health symptoms. A damaged or non-repairable home can create additional economic stress and uncertainty that can exacerbate post-traumatic stress Hopelessness, stress and even trouble eating is common

People who have lost loved ones or beloved family pets as a result of a disaster live with intense feelings of grief and can also experience survivor’s guilt

Treating weather-related PTSD

There are several evidence-based treatment modalities available to help with healing after a hurricane Individualized treatment

Medication can also be used to treat PTSD symptoms, including antidepressants, antianxiety medication and sleep aids These medications can help manage the symptoms of PTSD, but they may also have side effects and should only be taken under the supervision of a health care professional following a psychiatric care plan

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is also a common tool used to treat PTSD that helps people identify and change negative thought patterns that may contribute to PTSD symptoms It can also teach coping strategies to effectively manage symptoms, such as relaxation techniques, exposure therapy and mindfulness

Steps for managing stress sfter a hurricane

Especially with the 2023 hurricane season quickly approaching, it is important for people who have experienced a hurricane and are feeling ongoing stress or experiencing symptoms of PTSD to seek professional help as

■ Seeking support from community resources: Community resources such as disaster relief organizations and support groups can provide a range of services to people impacted by a hurricane or natural disaster

Help and support is available

Experiencing post-traumatic stress after a hurricane or other severe weather event is a normal reaction to witnessing a traumatic situation The symptoms can become debilitating, but they can also be effectively managed with professional help and self-care strategies

With the right support and resources, you can overcome the symptoms of post-traumatic stress and regain control over your life

Elizabeth Dosoretz, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and mother of three Her personal journey through the challenges of postpartum depression inspired her to establish Elite DNA Behavioral Health in 2013.

Elizabeth

Near-average season, 7 hurricanes predicted

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Following seven straight years of predicted “above-average” activity, top hurricane forecasters feel the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season will buck the trend

R e s e a r c h e r s a t C o l o r a d o S t a t e University, now in its 40th year of forecasting the upcoming hurricane season are predicting a “near-average” Atlantic hurricane season for ’23, an increased description from their first report released in midApril, which called for a slightly belowaverage season

CSU is now forecasting there will be 15 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes for the ‘23 season, which opened Thursday Last year, CSU predicted 19 named storms, including nine hurricanes and four major CSU’s Meteorology Project team anticipates the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season to be near average due to a number of factors, but uncertainty still remains.

Often used to paint a picture of the upcoming season is the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) whether the waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean are warmer or cooler, typically referred to as El Nino (warmer) or La Nina (cooler)

“El Nino development appears imminent, as water temperatures across the eastern and central tropical Pacific have anomalously warmed over the past couple of months,” states CSU researches in the June 1 report Tropical and subtropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures are now much warmer than normal

“ C u r r e n t l a r g e - s c a l e c o n d i t i o n s a n d forecasts indicate that a transition to El Nino is virtually assured in the next couple of months However, there remains uncertainty as to how strong El Nino will be ”

CSU researches stated that when waters in the eastern and central tropical and subtropical Atlantic are warmer than normal, it tends to force a weaker subtropical high a n d a s s o c i a t e d w e a k e r w i n d s b l o w i n g across the tropical Atlantic.

“These weaker winds favor additional anomalous warming of the tropical Atlantic for the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season,” CSU officials stated “The warmerthan-normal tropical Atlantic may counteract some of the increase in vertical wind shear typically associated with El Nino The increase in sea surface temperature anomalies in the Atlantic are the primary reason for the increase in forecasted hurricane activity ”

The CSU team bases forecasts on a statistical model, as well as four models that

Colorado State University, now in its 40th year of forecasting the upcoming hurricane season, is forecasting 15 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes for the ’23 season which opened June 1. Last year, CSU predicted 19 named storms, including nine hurricanes and four major

use a combination of statistical information a n d m o d e l o u t p u t f r o m t h e E u r o p e a n C e n t r e f o r M e d i u m - R a n g e W e a t h e r Forecasts, the UK Met Office, the Japan Meteorological Agency, and the EuroMediterranean Center on Climate Change These models use 25 to 40 years of historical hurricane seasons and evaluate conditions including: Atlantic sea surface temperatures, sea level pressures, vertical wind shear levels (the change in wind direction and speed with height in the atmosphere), El Nino (warming of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific), and other factors CSU said that thus far, the 2023 hurricane season is exhibiting characteristics similar to 1951, 1957, 1969, 2004, and 2006

“Our analog seasons exhibited a wide range of outcomes, from below-normal seasons to hyperactive seasons,” said Phil K l o t z b a c h , r e s e a r c h s c i e n t i s t i n t h e Department of Atmospheric Science and lead author of the report “This highlights the large uncertainty that exists with this outlook ”

C S U p r e d i c t s t h i s y e a r ’ s h u r r i c a n e activity will be about 100% of the average season from 1991–2020 By comparison, 2022’s hurricane activity was about 75% of the average season Last year’s season will be most remembered for its two major hurricanes: Fiona and Ian, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Southwest Florida, resulting in more than 150 fatalities and $113 billion in damage

“It takes only one storm near you to make this an active season for you,” said M i c h a e l B e l l , p r o f e s s o r i n t h e C S U Department of Atmospheric Science

T h e C S U t e a m w i l l i s s u e f o r e c a s t updates on July 6 and August 3

The Tropical Meteorology Project team also includes Alex DesRosiers, a PhD candidate in the same department. Bill Gray, w h o o r i g i n a t e d t h e s e a s o n a l f o r e c a s t s , launched the report in 1984 and continued to author them until his death in 2016

Hurricane: City urges residents to be prepared

From page 1

Weather Service communicates threats to decision makers in local Emergency Operations Centers, and those individual municipality's emergency divisions works to plan, respond, and recover for the community

Noah said the NWS’s main job during storms is to work with decision makers and emergency management during events

One of the hardest things to measure is a hurricane’s most deadly aspect, and that’s storm surge.

“There are a bunch of different factors that go into that calculation,” Noah said

Storm surge can last more than several hours, and during Ian, the worst of the surge lasted four

Noah said an important takeaway for residents when a storm is approaching is to not focus on the “cone of uncertainty,” but to focus on impacts

“The cone is great, but we don’t want you to use it when you’re within three days of impact,” he said “The cone only tells us where the center of the storm is likely to be, it doesn’t tell us where the impacts are ”

Although forecasters for the first time in seven years are not predicting an above-average Atlantic Hurricane season, Noah and Lamb reminded residents to never take a season lightly

Noah pointed to 1992 being predicted as a significantly below average season It produced Category 5 Hurricane Andrew, which devastated Florida and resulted in major code changes for the state

Noah said a challenge in Ian and nearly every season is how to make “diehards” evacuate out of harm’s way

According to his charts, about 21% are “first out” and anxious and eager to leave if a storm is in the forecast; 14% are “constrained,” meaning they are aware of risks and willing to evacuate but face barriers; 16% are “optimists” and doubt a hurricane will occur but are willing to evacuate; 27% are “reluctant” but will leave if ordered to; and 22% are “diehards” and confident they can safely ride out the hurricane at home

Cape Coral implanted many different forms of response during Ian, and will do so again, with modification That

includes hygiene stations, points of distribution (POD), SOS squads, and aqua points of distribution

“Hygiene stations weren’t exactly in our plan (last year), but we’re going to incorporate them deeper,” Lamb said “They were well received and needed for our community.”

Lamb said PODs are run by the National Guard to a certain point, and then turned over to the city He said staff is working to best adapt to that switch

SOS squads were an on-the-fly implementation that worked well, assisting those who had lost their home or vehicle Lamb said those teams will again be part of the prepare and response plan for the city

The city’s Emergency Operations Center on Southeast 9th Avenue serves as the home base for a multitude of personnel who all share the same goal of being in the best possible position to inform and respond when a major weather event is on the horizon. With the city continuing to grow, Lamb noted there are hopes to expand the center in the near future

Lamb said the city’s staging area for response post-storm is something for which they need to continue to find the best practice During Ian, the location was at Sun Splash Family Waterpark

“However, the area where a lot of our generators and message boards and tarps were delivered, are soon going to be pickleball courts,” he said “And so, we’ve got to improvise and adapt for where that future place is going to be We’ve got some ideas and a plan for the next local staging area we’d like to implement ”

Moving information and requests through the chain of county, to state, to federal, can be a timely process. Cape Coral sends multiple representatives to the Lee County EOC, and are hoping to get a county representative to come to the city’s EOC to bridge the information gap

“Also (we’re) working with the state DEM (Department of Emergency Management) on some efforts that depending on the resources (information and requests) would go to the county and the state simultaneously, that way we could pick up some speed getting quicker through some of those backlogs ”

When a storm looks as if it could make impact with in the area, it is up to the city manager to declare a state of emergency Then, the city manager, Lamb, police chief, and public

works director come together and lead the city’s efforts collectively

Local fire houses will prepare their stations for impact based on severity of the storm, and possibly prep for additional staffing, needed equipment or the transfer of equipment/repositioning of a department

Public Works officials will depart throughout the city to inspect weir levels to make sure storm water management is in place They clear culverts out, as well as storm drains to ensure the ability to transfer large amounts of rain

Law enforcement will ready generators to potentially restore power to major intersection traffic lights

It’s at the EOC where the coordination of all these agencies takes place to ensure a smooth process and to scout what areas of the city need response

City officials preached the importance of being neighborly, and sharing information with those around you to make sure they are up to date Many during a storm may not have the same access or channels of information as others, so it’s pertinent during a major even those around you are kept in the know

“Share, share, share,” said city spokesperson Melissa Mickey “Take an active role in the information you receive ”

Hurricane kits this year should include hand-crank radio to get information over the airwaves if individuals are not able to access television or internet

The city also is looking into mobile electronic boards and sandwich boards with city messaging to put in major intersections

Cape Coral will host a Hurricane Seminar on June 20 in City Council Chambers (1015 Cultural Park Blvd ) from 5 to 8 p m

Residents can visit www capecoralfire com for more information on the city’s emergency response division, as well as evacuation zones, the Lee County All Hazards Guide, and personal preparedness tips

Follow the city and fire department’s social media accounts for the most up to date information during the hurricane season

The Breeze Newspapers 2023 Hurricane Guide may be found at capecoralbreeze com where weather updates will also be posted throughout the hurricane season

,

J u n e

Guardian ad Litem volunteers needed

Participants work with children who come through the Foster Court Dependency Court System

B y M E G H A N B R A D B U RY n e w s @ b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m V o l u n t e e r s c o n t i n u e t o b e a l a r g e n e e d f o r t h e G u a r d i a n a d L i t e m O f f i c e a s t h e n u m b e r o f c h i l d r e n w h o h a v e b e e n a b u s e d , a b a n d o n e d a n d n e g l e c t e d r e m a i n s i n t h e t h o u s a n d s F l o r i d a S t a t e w i d e G u a r d i a n a d L i t e m O f f i c e D i r e c t o r o f C o m m u n i c a t i o n s M e l i s s a B u j e d a s a i d t h r o u g h t h e c o l l a b or a t i o n o f a m u l t i d i s c i p l i n a r y t e a m t h e y u s e a G u a r d i a n a d L i t e m A t t o r n e y , a c h i l d w e l f a r e p r o f e s s i o n a l a n d a t r a i n e d v o l u n t e e r “ T h e t e a m p r o v i d e s q u a l i t y i n d e p e n de n t r e p r e s e n t a t i o n w h i l e w e a s s i s t t h e c h i l d i n e x p r e s s i n g t h e i r n e e d s a n d w i s he s , ” s h e s a i d . I n 2 0 2 2 , t h e o f f i c e r e p r e s e n t e d m o r e t h a n 3 6 , 0 0 0 c h i l d r e n t h r o u g h o u t t h e s t a t e o f F l o r i d a A s o f A p r i l 3 0 t h e r e w e r e 7 1 3 c h i l d r e n a p p o i n t e d t o t h e S t a t e w i d e O f f i c e i n L e e C o u n t y B u j e d a s a i d 4 4 6 v o l u n t e e r s w e r e a s s i g n e d t o t h o s e c h i l d r e n , w h i c h l e f t 2 6 7 c h i l d r e n w i t h o u t a v o l u n t e e r A v o l u n t e e r p l a y s a n e s s e n t i a l r o l e a s t h e t h i r d p e r s o n i n t h e m u l t i d i s c i p l i n a r y t e a m “ W e o n l y h a v e s o m a n y v o l u n t e e r s . N o t e v e r y c h i l d g e t s t h e v o l u n t e e r c o m -

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M e l i s s a B u j e d a m , s p o k e s p e r s o n f o r t h e F l o r i d a S t a t e w i d e G u a r d i a n a d L i t e m O f f i c e

p o n e n t t o t h e i r t e a m , ” w h i c h s h e s a i d i s c r u c i a l T h e v o l u n t e e r b u i l d s t h a t r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e c h i l d b y s p e n d i n g t i m e w i t h t h e m a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e i r w a n t s a n d n e e d s ; t h e r e f o r e h a v i n g a m o r e i n d e p t h u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a n a n a t t o r n e y . “ M o s t v o l u n t e e r s o n l y w o r k w i t h o n e o r t w o c h i l d r e n a t a t i m e M a n y o f t h e v o l u n t e e r s h a v e l i f e l o n g r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h t h e c h i l d r e n , ” B u j e d a s a i d “ I t ’ s s o m e t h i n g v e r y s p e c i a l O u r v o l u n t e e r s b e c o m e t h a t c a r i n g a d u l t i n t h e i r l i f e w h o p r o v i d e s a p o s i t i v e p r e s e n c e i n t h e c h i l d ’ s l i f e ” T h e G u a r d i a n a d L i t e m O f f i c e “ W e a r e a p p o i n t e d t o t h e c h i l d t h r o u g h t h e c o u r t s W h e n t h e c h i l d e n d s u p , f o r r e as o n s o f n o t t h e i r f a u l t , d u e t o a b u s e , n e gl e c t , o r a b a n d o n m e n t , i t g o e s t o t h e d e p e n d e n c y c o u r t T h e j u d g e a p p o i n t s u s t o r e p r e s e n t t h e c h i l d E v e r y c h i l d i s a s s i g n e d a G u a r d i a n a d L i t e m A t t o r n e y

t o r e p r e s e n t t h e i r i n t e r e s t , ” B u j e d a s a i d T h r o u g h o u t F l o r i d a , t h e y h a v e a l i t t l e u n d e r 2 0 0 a t t o r n e y s o n t h e p a y r o l l B u j e d a s a i d t h e y a r e s o f o r t u n a t e t o h a v e h u n d r e d s o f a t t o r n e y s t h r o u g h o u t t h e s t a t e d o i n g P r o B o n o w o r k f o r t h e o f f i c e

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A t t o r n e y s h a v e t h e i r o w n w a y t o g i v e b a c k t h a t c a n t r u l y h e l p a c h i l d t h r o u g h P r o B o n o s e r v i c e , ” s h e s a i d

B u j e d a s a i d t h e y a r e a p p o i n t e d f o r e v e r y t h i n g f r o m n e w b o r n s w h o a r e d r u g d e p e n d e n t t h a t m i g h t n o t b e i n t h e b e s t s i t u a t i o n , t o c h i l d r e n w h o e n d u p i n a f o s t e r c a r e c e n t e r a t t h e a g e o f 1 7

“ T h e j u d g e s t a n d s i n t h e p a r e n t ’ s s h o e s T h e d e c i s i o n , t h e j u d g e c a n o n l y d o t h a t w i t h i n f o r m a t i o n ( t h e y ) r e c e i v e a b o u t t h e c h i l d I t ’ s n e c e s s a r y t o f u l f i l l t h e r o l e , s o t h e j u d g e g e t s a l l o f t h e i n f o rm a t i o n a b o u t t h e c h i l d t o m a k e t h e b e s t d e c i s i o n p o s s i b l e , ” B u j e d a s a i d “ A l o t o f t h e s e c h i l d r e n h a v e n o b o d y i n t h e i r c o rn e r A l o t o f t h e m h a v e n e v e r h a d t h a t

o n e p e r s o n t h a t i s c o n s i s t e n t l y i n t h e i r l i f e S o m e o n e t h e y c a n d e p e n d o n S o m e o n e t h e y c a n g e t a d v i c e f r o m T h a t r o l e i s s o i m p o r t a n t t o t h a t y o u n g a d u l t ” T h o s e w h o v o l u n t e e r f o r t h e G u a r d i a n a d L i t e m O f f i c e c o m e f r o m a l l w a l k s o f l i f e f r o m s t a y - a t - h o m e m o m s t o m i l i t a r y p r o f e s s i o n a l s V o l u n t e e r s w i l l h a v e b a c k g r o u n d s c r e e n i n g d o n e , a s w e l l a s a n i n t e r v i e w b e f o r e t h e y h a v e t o f i n i s h 3 0 h o u r s o f t r a i n i n g T h e t r a i n i n g c a n b e d o n e o n l i n e a t t h e i r o w n p a c e “ T h e y w i l l g o t h r o u g h a s m a l l t r a i n i n g p r o c e s s w i t h a n o t h e r v o l u n t e e r t o l e a r n h o w t o w r i t e t h e r e p o r t f o r t h e c o u r t A f t e r t h e t r a i n i n g p e r i o d t h e y w i l l b e a s s i g n e d t h e i r o w n c h i l d , ” B u j e d a s a i d . T h e r e q u i r e m e n t i s t o m e e t w i t h t h e c h i l d a t l e a s t o n c e a m o n t h , a l t h o u g h m a n y m e e t w i t h t h e m o n c e a w e e k , o r e v e r y o t h e r w e e k “ I t ’ s g o o d f o r t h e c h i l d I t ’ s a n o t h e r s e t o f e y e s t o m a k e s u r e t h e c h i l d i s s a f e a n d g e t t i n g h i s , o r h e r n e e d s m e t I f w e a r e n o t d o i n g i t f o r t h e m , w h o i s g o i n g t o d o i t ? ” s h e s a i d T h o s e i n t e r e s t e d c a n v i s i t w w w g u a r d i a n a t l i t e m o r g a n d f i l l o u t a v o l u n t e e r i n q u i r y f o r m S o m e o n e f r o m t h e L e e C o u n t y o f f i c e w i l l c o n t a c t t h e i n d i v i d u a l

Cape Council gets update on city events

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

After some discussion, the Cape Coral City Council showed interest in adding a Memorial Day event to their special events

Currently the city holds events for Halloween, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, various winter holidays, New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, St Patrick’s Day, Easter, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Father's Day and 4th of July

“We are striking a significant number of holidays and providing quality of life opportunities for residents,” Special Events Coordinator Todd King said

He said there are national holidays that they do not offer a special event for, such as Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day

Councilmember Patty Cummings said she definitely feels that they should support the holidays.

“Memorial Day, I feel we should do something There are areas that partake in it As a city, we should be as well,” she said

She also suggested doing something for Purple Heart Day, which is Aug 7

“We have not done anything the last several years for the men and women who were wounded and serve our country,” Cummings said

Councilmember Jessica Cosden said she likes the idea of a Memorial Day event, but wants to make sure they are coordinating with Coral Ridge, as they put on a great ceremony

King said there are different special event categories, which includes city-produced events, city-supported events and independent events

The city-produced events are fundeds from the General Fund budget with Council approving the allocation during budget season With a city-produced event, it includes budgeting, entertainment acquisition, department coordination, operational and venue planning, turn-key logistics, day of execution load in and out, review and evaluation

Some of these events include Cape Bike Night, Red, White and BOOM!, Tour de Cape and the Holiday Boat Parade There are also neighborhood events, such as movies and concerts in the park In addition, there are event programs held at recreation facilities and parks

“Without the volunteers, the signature events would be hard to accomplish Some engage up to 50 volunteers to pull it off,” King said

The city-supported events, King said, are limited to 501c3 organizations whose focus is on raising money and awareness

The city’s support includes planning assistance, capital equipment, budgeted funds for city services limited to life safety and road closure, as well as the partnership, volunteer program

“The city comes alongside to create an experience for the community,” King said

Mayor John Gunter asked how they are going to hold up both sides of an agreement in terms of promises made in ful-

filling volunteer hours

King said they are working on a penalty structure related to not fulfilling hours through a software tool

He said most of the capital assets that go out are way under $10,000 The capital assets partnership program includes providing such things as the stage, electrical distribution boxes, bleachers and trash barrels

Some of these events include the Brew Festival, Chamber Holiday Festival of Lights, Touch Truck and Burrowing Owl Festival The independent events are put on by a private promoter who works with the city to permit and rent assets that are available Some of these events include Octoberfest, LCEC 5K, Stone Crab Festival and March in the Park

BUSINESS BRIEFS

The PokeStop shop open in Cape Coral

The PokeStop, a Pokém o n / T C G ( t r a d i n g c a r d games) store, has opened in Cape Coral, in addition to the sports card store -- Str8 Cards & Collectables -- that are already in place at 2135 Santa Barbara Blvd , Unit 105 & 102

A grand opening for The P o k e S t o p w i l l b e h e l d Sunday, June 11, and feature food trucks, giveaways and many discounts

T h e s t o r e p r o m o t e s a f a m i l y / c o m m u n i t y e x p e r ience that will include trade n i g h t s , P o k é m o n t o u r n aments and more events

For information, call the shop at 239-763-3110

Cantina Laredo to celebrate 20th

anniversar y Bell Tower, a landmark shopping, dining and entert a i n m e n t d e s t i n a t i o n c e ntrally located in Fort Myers, invites the community to celebrate Cantina Laredo's 20th anniversary Cantina’s 20-Year Fiesta takes place Saturday, June 3, from noon to 3 p m , in the parking lot in front of Cantina Laredo at Daniels Parkway and U S 41

The event will feature a taco bar, a 21+ beer garden, games, contests with prizes, a bounce house, music provided by DJ Smash, face painting, a visit from stilt w a l k e r W a y T o o T a l l Torrie, live performances and themed photo ops

This event is free and open to the public; no preregistration is required To learn more, visit www belltowerfl.com.

Southwest Florida Inter national Airpor t repor ts April traffic

During April, 981,216 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers This was a decrease of 20 percent compared to April 2022 Year-to-date, passenger traffic is down 18 percent

The traffic leader in April was Delta with 207,290 passengers Round-ing out the top five airlines were Southwest (183,734), United (149,419), American (127,027) and JetBlue (106,054)

RSW had 8,380 aircraft operations, a decrease of 16 percent compared to April 2 0 2 2 P a g e F i e l d s a w 17,841 operations, which was a 14 percent increase compared to April 2022, and a new monthly record F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , visit flylcpa com or facebook com/flyRSW

100 Days: Memorial Day to Labor Day riskiest time for teen drivers

From page 1

100 Deadliest Days.

AAA officials said understanding the risks and knowing the facts will prepare teens for the road ahead

Risks factors for teen drivers include:

■ Distracted driving: Distraction plays a role in nearly six out of 10 teen crashes Electronics like cell phones and in-vehicle infotainment systems are considered the second-biggest distraction to teen drivers The biggest distraction is teen passengers

■ Driving with teen passengers Research shows that the risk of a fatal crash increases in direct relation to the number of teenagers in a car (NHTSA) Having other passengers in the car can contribute to peer pressure and the impulse to engage in dangerous habits like

speeding and aggressive driving

■ Speeding Speeding is a factor in nearly 30 percent of fatal crashes involving teen drivers

■ Not wearing a safety belt Teens who buckle up significantly reduce their risk of dying or being seriously injured in a crash Director of Driver Education Programs for AAA, Rachel Wilson, stated, “The single most important thing parents can do to help their teens become safe drivers is to be involved in their ‘learning to drive’ process Spend time coaching your teen while they’re behind the wheel and have a serious discussion about safety. While parents can be a great teacher, it also helps to seek out professional training courses, like those provided by AAA ”

The School District of Lee County offers classes

“Both off and on campus, the safety of our students is our highest priority We offer Drivers Ed classes at our high schools during the school year and summer so students learn in the classroom and on the road how to drive safely We also partner with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and other community based agencies to provide educational opportunities for our students to improve their skills and understand the consequences of impaired driving ”

At a news conference with the Florida Department of Transportation in Gainesville this past week, Attorney General Ashley Moody urged parents and guardians to play an active role in safeguarding their teens and

equipping them with the necessary tools for responsible driving

“As parents, we worry about our children’s safety,” Moody said “Our kids face many dangers, but one of the scariest things they do is get behind the wheel The 100 Deadliest Days pose a significant risk to teenaged drivers and all those who share the road with them That’s why I am encouraging parents to talk with their teens about safe driving habits and join us in this vital effort to protect our roadways and safe lives ”

AAA’s "How to Drive Online" course provides a foundation of the knowledge and skills necessary to reduce a teen’s risk behind the wheel For more teen driver safety tips and to register for AAA’s online driving course, visit www aaadriverprogram com

Yacht Club: City officials cite cost of repairs, renovation in decision

From page 1

answer “My decision has not changed ”

City staff had asked formal direction

“Neither me, nor any of my staff can be insubordinate and reverse course on what you all told us to do,” interim City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said at Wednesday’s workshop “It is a significant decision It was a decision made in public There was media in the room. Staff has followed through with that discussion ”

He said on Jan 26 of this year there were several presentations given about plans for the city’s Yacht Club park

“At the time, the condition assessment presented to council discussed all of the existing conditions of the site In regards to the ballroom, structural components damaged Pipes and plumbing are failing Mismatched air condition units, HVAC units, they were undersized Roofs beyond normal life,” he said “The condition assessment has not changed The existing condition that existed on Sept 27 (the day before Hurricane Ian) is the same condition that exists today All the pipes are still old The roof still needs repaired The windows and glazing still do not meet hurricane mitigation criteria. The foundation is still cracking The electrical distribution system is still at 100 percent capacity The space itself is still a one-reservation, one-function type of space "

Ilczyszyn said he has been asked why the city can not restore power, fix and clean the building To do those things would be contradictory of what he has been directed to do

“We are moving forward with a different vision for the future,” he said

Gloria Tate, a former Council member and a near 64-year resident, spoke during public comment She urged council to save the building She pointed to a resolution approved by city council in April of 1998

Councilmemebr Tom Hayden

that declared “the Yacht Club Community Park as an historic and/or cultural resource as provided in the city of Cape Coral historic and cultural preservation ordinance ”

“I have spoken to the state and our resolution that we passed in ’98 is strong It stands I can do the application as an individual, (but it is) so much greater to have one, two, three, all eight of you to sign on and do the historical preservation Restore this building Before you use the word demolition, talk about refurbishment Without history, we have nowhere to go With one swoop and bulldozer you are going to wipe it out. Consider saving the Yacht Club Save the Yacht Club ballroom,” she said

Tate was not the only resident that spoke Others shared how they have created a lifetime of memories at the Yacht Club They all asked to keep the historic structure there

The city has had discussions on how not to forget the past How to include the memories the Yacht Club has brought to the community Some of those ideas include incorporating the beams that exist in the interior of the structure into a new vision, incorporate the fireplace into a new building, creating videos, auctioning some of the items and providing the Historical Museum with the ability to collect artifacts

“There is some value in this one structure at the park. We are looking for ways to continue to bring that past into the future, but to provide more flexibility and functionality in the next 100 years, 60 years,” Ilczyszyn said

He said staff will come back in August with a revision and specifications for how and when to remove the buildings on site and preserve what they want to preserve

We will “start off a new vision session with the community What are the elements and amenities that we want for a doubling population that doesn’t exist today,” Ilczyszyn said “There is no action that I am requesting of Council ”

Ilczyszyn said in January the series of presentations given included a possibility of renovating the existing ballroom and the elements that might go into that.

“A full condition assessment of the building was provided Renovation was discussed Consensus was given to staff how to proceed,” he said

Public Works interim Deputy Director Damon Grant said in April 2022 Operation Sparkle took place to get information together regarding maintenance issues surrounding the parks In April, he said they elected to do assessment to trend analysis to see the numbers and work orders that go through the size and age of the building

The Yacht Club, built in 1962, is the oldest building in the city’s inventory

In April an internal condition assessment was done where they talked about what he called deferred maintenance of the building Necessary repairs included a price tag of $2,545,875 for electrical, exterior exposure, HVAC, interior construction, interior finishes, plumbing and roofing

With the hurricane, the Yacht Club was red tagged and deemed unsafe, especially the mechanical and electrical room that provides power to the ballroom and the Tony Rotino Center

In October 2022, a Synergy and TetraTech assessment was done, followed by Sedgwich inspections starting in November

Planner Wyatt Daltry explained the substantial improvements and substantial damage as it relates to the FEMA 50 percent rule

He said it is the market value of improvements and damage verse the market value of the structure

Daltry said there are two ways to bring a structure back up to compliance: either raise the building by elevating it, which is base flood elevation plus one foot, or raze the building and rebuild it at the base The third option is dry floodproofing the building, which would require floodproof material at the base flood elevation plus two feet

“Commercial has ability to keep the site building as is through dry proofing,” Daltry said

Ilczyszyn said the finish floor elevation, which is at 7 83 feet, needs to be at 9 0 feet

“This building is below finish flood elevation for floodplain,” he said

Daltry said whether the building is elevated, or torn down, it has to be rebuilt at 9 feet He said if they were to use the floodproof option, it would be up to 10 feet.

“If we wanted to make the improvements to the building we would have to incur the $2 5 million, floodproof the building, do that up to 10 feet The building sits less than 8 Flood proof that basically half way up the front door around the whole building That would be a cost on top of the deferred maintenance,” Ilczyszyn said

He said with consensus to move forward with demolition in January, they have not looked at anything other than that direction

There was an estimated $1 5 to $2 million of floodproofing up to 10 feet

“I don’t believe we could get that work done for $2 5 million We are still at $4 mil-

lion, not including the inflation cost,” Ilczyszyn said

The building did not flood during Ian, a near Category 5 hurricane that inundated numerous homes along and near the riverfront Interior water damage stuffered came mostly from windows that broke during the Sept. 28 storm.

There was some opposition from the council

Councilmember Tom Hayden said the Yacht Club is the last remaining historic iconic place in the city He said he would like to see the city look at the possibility of another restaurant, extending the parking garage around the tennis courts and branching off the current existing Yacht Club building into smaller event space

“That is more of where I am at now Certainly not in a place where we need to demolish the building,” Hayden said, adding the city should look at making all the improvements and the possibility of variance and floodproofing

He said to renovate it would still be less than what it would be to build a new building.

“We need to look at every possible scenario that does not include demolishing the building I love the rest of the plans for that space and complex,” Hayden said

There were suggestions from some regarding how to create a replica of the ballroom with the chandelier and fireplace, or putting together the history and showcasing that

Gunter said the best interest is to move forward and build a new structure

“If we can incorporate some of the features and its not too costly, I am OK with that,” he said

Ilczyszyn said the area is still an active construction site with vessel recovery, boat crushing, contractors repairing channel markings, as well with no electric on site, no restrooms and various trees and landscaping still down He said the Boat House restaurant is still being repaired and the fuel pumps are still not working The harbor master building is destroyed

“We are taking members of Council to have a first hand feel and look at what the existing conditions,” Ilczyszyn said “The restoration of the property has to be methodological The path forward (will have) a plan that lays that out We will bring that back for discussion to make sure everyone is comfortable making the steps ”

Gunter said the Boat House should be opening soon, in the next 30 to 45 days

“In the short term I would like to see us take the necessary steps to get the beach open,” he said. “We can do the appropriate cleaning of the area to make sure it is safe Sonar where the swimmers are, pier area to make sure there is no debris under the water ”

On Thursday, Tate submitted a packet to the Florida Department of State for its consideration, a first step to having the Yacht Club Ballroom building designated as an historic site on the national level

The packet has been added to the agency’s review queue and will be considered on Tuesday, according to a response from Dr Kyra Lucas, an historic preservationist with the Florida Department of State A response then will take two weeks

Submission of a Preliminary Site Information Questionnaire for state consideration is a first step for a listing on the National Register of Historic Places, “the official list of our country’s historic buildings, districts, sties, structures and objects worthy of preservation, the GSA website states

The registry was established in 1966 as part of the National Historic Preservation Act and is overseen by the National Parks Service

“It is only building in the city, the only original building, that has not been torn down,” she said in a telephone interview

“We need to look at every possible scenario that does not include demolishing the building. I love the rest of the plans for that space and complex ”

For the love of palms

By DEBORAH HAGGETT news@breezenewspapers com

One of the key highlights of a tropical landscape is the woody herb known to us as the palm “tree ” Although not technically a tree, some are often referred to as trees with their single trunks and rounded shade-giving canopy Botanically, they are monocotyledons, or monocots, a flowering plant bearing only one seed leaf Both their external form and their internal anatomy result in classifying them as palms As such, they are more closely related to grasses and herbs, than to trees

There are over 2,600 species of palms in the world of which 12 are identified as native to Florida Identifying which palms are growing in your yard and following specific h o r t i c u l t u r a l practices for those palms will help keep them healthy and happy In addition to specifics, there are a few general rules of thumb which you can follow for a thriving palm culture

If you are familiar with Florida Friendly landscaping practices, then you have heard the phrase, “Right plant, right place!” Before planting a native palm in your landscape, take time to complete a soil test This can be accomplished by bringing a soil sample to the Lee County Extension Office and taking advantage of its free soil test This test will ascertain the pH of your soil which will then help you choose the best palm for your site If your soil is too alkaline, some palms will be unable to take up the micronutrients needed to flourish, meaning you can fertilize them to death, literally, and they will not be able to benefit from the fertilizer

The University of Florida has completed extensive studies to determine the best fertilizer for your Florida palms Many assume a turf fertilizer will meet the palm’s needs. Unfortunately, this is not the case The university suggests the use of a good quality palm fertilizer with macro and micronutrients included in the mix and the numbers 8-0-12-4Mg written on the label These numbers correspond to the correct balance of nutrients needed in the order of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium

If the palm is suffering from a deficiency, they concluded the macronutrients, nitrogen, potassium and magnesium, work best in a slow-release form, while other micronutrients such as calcium, copper, iron, manganese and zinc work best in water soluble forms

March is a good month to fertilize your palms. When fertilizing, spread the fertilizer about 15 feet from the base of the palm and not within 15 feet of a canal or other waterway Become familiar with your local fertilizer ordinance,

The 3rd Annual South Cape PRIDE Trolley Event is Saturday, June 3, from 711 p m This 21+ nightlife celebration takes participants to 11 locations to enjoy PRIDE-themed drink and appetizer samples. Drag queen trolley hosts will keep you entertained along the way

Benefiting PRIDE Cape Coral - the local nonprofit representing and supporting the LGBTQ+ community - it's a night of colorful fun Trolley hosts include Sizzy Griddles, Tara Newhole, Sadie T Elise, Deloras T Van Cartier and Yvonne Divine

All-inclusive tickets are just $30 in advance ($25 for DDs) For tickets, visit https://www eventbrite com/e/3rd-annuals o u t h - c a p e - p r i d e - t r o l l e y - e v e n t - t i c k e t s -

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Guests who get their provided passport stamped at all 11 locations can enter to win

PRIDE themed cooler and swag, sponsored by Bud Light To enter the grand prize drawing, leave completed passports on a trolley or at a participating location

Check-in begins at 6 p m at Big John's Plaza or Dolphin Key Resort (under the front awning)

Participating locations and menu offerings include: BackStreets Sports Bar, Strawberry Lemonade Mimosa & White

Chocolate Covered Strawberries; BIG8 BBQ, Rainbow in Paradise & Pork Sliders; Cruiser's Lounge, Rainbow Jello Shots and Sweet & Sour Cocktail Weiners; The Dive, Q u e e n P u n c h & F r u i t y P e b b l e R i c e Krispies; Dixie Roadhouse, The Pink Man & H a m C r o q u e t t e s ; F i s h T a l e G r i l l , U n i c o r n R u m P u n c h & H o m e m a d e Rainbow Cookie; Nice Guys Pizza, Sex on the Butch & Hummus w/ Red Pepper Jam; Rack’em Spirits & Times, Dirty Dolly & Vodka Soaked Cherries & Pineapples; Ralph's Place, Captiva Cherry Splash & Fireballs; Rusty's Bar & Grill, Caramel Apple Sangria & Southern Caramel Apple Crumble; and Tiki Bar, The Blue Tiki & Mini Corn Dogs

For additional information, please visit SCHEA online at SouthCapeEntertainment com

M el’ s D iner is off er ing a w ay fo r patrons to show support for children with cancer by hosting Burgers for Barbara’s Friends On Thursday, June 8, which is also National Best Friends Day, Mel’s Diner restaurants in Southwest Florida will donate 50% from the sale of four different burgers on the menu to Barbara’s Friends, the cancer fund for Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida

The fundraiser will help ensure that programs and services are available for local children diagnosed with cancer at the hospital Cancer support includes assisting with the cost of treatment, medications, mental health counseling, therapies and the addition of specialty services like pediatric neurosurgery for children with brain cancer saving families the anxiety and expense of transporting a critically ill child to Tampa or Miami

Participating Mel’s Diners include:

■ Mel’s Diner Cape Coral – 1331 Pine Island Road, N E , Cape Coral

■ Mel’s Diner Fort Myers – 4820 S Cleveland Ave , Fort Myers

■ Mel’s Diner Naples – 3650 Tamiami Trail N , Naples

■ Mel’s Diner Golden Gate – 12035 Collier Blvd , Naples

For 18 years, Mel’s Diner held the H e l p i n g K i d s w i t h C a n c e r R a d i o t h o n , donating nearly $1 million through the years to Barbara’s Friends The event is no longer being held, and another fundraiser for Barbara’s Friends, Clips for Cancer, was cut short in 2022 by Hurricane Ian

“We are so grateful to Mel’s Diner for stepping up again to support children with cancer with this promotion,” said Amy Frith, Sr. Director, Barbara’s FriendsC h i l d r e n ’ s C a n c e r F u n d f o r G o l i s a n o Children’s Hospital “What better way to be a best friend to a kid with cancer then to enjoy a tasty burger with your friends and give back at the same time ”

The Barbara’s Friends fund has a 28year history of helping kids with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders, ensuring that no child is denied treatment due to a family’s inability to pay

Barbara’s Friends raises roughly 41 million annually to support lifesaving services, programs and equipment for the

young patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital to ensure no family has to face a cancer diagnosis alone

Debating best hook size and bait for tarpon

If you asked 10 tarpon anglers what’s the best size and type of hook to use to tame the silver king, you’re sure to get lots of different advice For hooks, the FWC recommends non-offset circle hooks although many still swear by and use J-hooks Treble hooks are simply too dangerous for fish and man alike so changing the hooks on your tarpon hard lures to singles is good policy obviously simplifying the release process

Hook size will be determined by the task at hand and actual bait size, with floating pass crab anglers at Boca Grande going as small as 4/0, to catfish tail bottom soakers, some choosing a big 12/0 or even larger hook

When lip or nose hooking live ladyfish or mullet, learn how to bridle the bait using a 4/0 – 8/0 circle hook depending on bait size, which allows f o r m o r e n a t u r a l b a i t f i s h movement, much longer bait life, and as a bonus with the f u l l y e x p o s e d h o o k , m u c h b e t t e r h o o k - u p s r e d u c i n g jump-offs Larger baitfish can a l s o b e b r i d l e d l i g h t l y through the top of the body near the dorsal fin

Another form of bridling f o r s o f t p l a s t i c s u s e s t h e screw lock system with a wire coil that screws into the nose of the soft bait The bend of the hook is attached to it and keeping the hook fully exposed This works great especially at night when tarpon are up on top Rig a 10-inch Hogy floating eel this way and fish the surface bite when the fish are chasing on top for some heart stopping strikes

When bottom fishing with a large fillet, chunk or catfish body, don’t make the mistake of hooking into too much meat when rigging the bait which could impede the hookset Some folks even bridle dead bait but it’s not necessary, simply position the hook on the very edge through some tough skin A circle hook is always recommended when bottom fishing for tarpon typically a size 6/0 to 12/0 again depending on the dead bait size.

Leader size can be as controversial as hook size

When angling for triple digit fish in clear Gulf water, I could go down as low as 40-pound test for seemingly always finicky fish or as high as 120-pound line for close quarter, nighttime, bridge battles

You’ll find tarpon in Boca Grande, Captiva and Redfish passes, as well as moving along the beaches Idle along or stake out and watch for rolling fish Once spotted, figure out their travel direction and set up for the interception by going out, way out and around, and then set up shop and wait for them to close the distance Never get in behind and chase them as it will spook them Never spot a school then go out and around then cut back in in front of a boat already waiting for the same school to come down the beach to them There is lots of water and lots of fish Play nice, have fun and be respectful of your fellow anglers this tarpon season

Those looking for cast net bait seem to be having the best luck around Jug Creek and Bokeelia, catching whitebait (scaled sardines or pilchards) for shoreline snook adventures, others substitute suspending twitch baits like MirrOdine’s, for those not cast net savvy or that don’t like the work or mess of cast nets

All in all a frisky well aerated 3 to 4-inch whitebait hooked through the soft spot near the eyes and nose with a 2/0 hook is probably the best snook presentation of all for general fishing and numbers For trophy snook

See DEBATING, page 27

Home runs by De Andrade and Neuse power Mighty Mussels’ comeback win

FORT MYERS – Danny De Andrade and Dylan Neuse blasted a pair of titanic two-run homers Tuesday to propel the Mighty Mussels to a 6-5 comeback victory over the St Lucie Mets at Hammond Stadium

The Mussels (26-20) have now won six consecutive series openers and have launched a league-leading 38 homers In the process, the Mets’ season-high three-game winning streak was snapped

With St Lucie (13-32) leading 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth, Major League rehabber Gilberto Celestino singled to right to open the frame De followed with a majestic blast that kn off the facing of the signage on the l field scoreboard The blast traveled 415 feet, left the bat at 104 7 miles per hour, and cut the deficit to one run

In the top of the sixth inning, Jac R e i m e r w a l k e d t o o p e n t h e i n n i n g . A f t e r h e advanced to second on a balk, Vincent Perozo scorched a double down the right-field line to bring home the run and give St Lucie a 4-2 advantage

Still trailing by two in the bottom of the same frame, Mussels second baseman Mikey Perez singled to right before stealing second base Later in the inning, Perez took off for third, drawing an errant throw from Perozo As the ball rolled into left field, Perez scored to make it a 4-3 game

Two hitters later, Maddux Houghton served a groundball single to right to place the tying run at first base The next batter was Neuse, who pummeled his first homer of the season to left to give Fort Myers a 5-4 advantage. The ball left his bat at 104 6 miles per hour and traveled a projected distance of 425 feet

With the same score and two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Dillon Tatum reached on a leadoff single and advanced to second on a wild pitch With two outs, Perez cracked a line drive off the wall in left field to score Tatum and give Fort Myers a two-run lead

After the Mets tacked on another run on a passed ball in the eighth, reliever A J Labas slammed the door for the Mussels, tossing 1 1 scoreless innings to secure his first save of the year

Mussels’ Olivar named FSL Player of the Week

FORT MYERS – Mighty Mussels catcher/outfielder

Ricardo Olivar has been named the Florida State League Player of the Week, the Minor League Baseball office announced Monday

Over five games at Dunedin, Olivar went 9-for18 with two doubles, one home run, three RBI and two stolen bases The Venezuela native also racked p three multi-hit showings and boosted his OPS by points ( 777) ver the week, he led the FSL in hits (9), AVG 0), OBP ( 571), SLG ( 778), and OPS (1 349) e is the second Mussels player to win FSL Player of the Week alongside Andrew Cossetti, who received the honor on April 25

Wednesday's Mussels game postponed due to rain; doubleheader Friday

FORT MYERS - Wednesday's game between the Mighty Mussels and St Lucie Mets was postponed due to inclement weather at Hammond Stadium

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader beginning at 4:30 p m on Friday, June 2 Both games will be seven innings Game 2 will begin no earlier than 7 p m

All tickets to Wednesday's game can be exchanged for a ticket to any other Mussels game during the 2023 season

Additional games this weekend against the Mets are scheduled for Saturday, Family Faith Night, at 6 p m , and Sunday, Sunday Brunch, at noon

After a day off Monday, June 5, the Mighty Mussels host the Clearwater Threshers for six games June 6-11 Following that series, the Mussels hit the road for two weeks with games against Broward and Tampa

FWC: Reel in some Florida fun on license-free fishing weekends

Saltwater fishing dates June 3-4, freshwater June 10-11

t i o n Commission invites Florida residents and visitors to go fishing during two license-free weekends: June 34 for saltwater and June 10-11 for freshwat License-free fishing weekends offer great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and experience the many fishing opportunities the "Fishing Capital of the World" has to offer The FWC encourages everyone to take advantage of these weekends to spend time enjoying the beautiful Florida waters

Olivar enters the week slashing 281/ 355/ 355 with four home runs and 20 RBI over 36 games played this season T

tions, seasons and closures To help ensure a fun and safe fishing experience, the FWC encourages all anglers to review the regulations before heading out on the ter

For current recreational fishing regulations, visit MyFWC com/about and click on “Rules & Regulations” or download the Fish Rules App to stay up to date on saltwater and freshwater regulations in your area

“Fishing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and experience Florida’s abundant fishing opportunities,” said Roger Y o u n g , F W C ’ s E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r

“

L i c e n s e - f r e e f i s h i n g w e e k e n d s a l l o w

Floridians and visitors to get outdoors, co nect with nature and create lasting memories with family and friends ”

During the license-free weekends, all bag limits, size limits and fishing regulations still apply Anglers must also follow all other fishing rules, such as gear restric-

Find a location to go fishing through t h e p i e r f i n d e r t o o l o r v i s i t a F i s h

Management Area Launch your vessel at a local boat ramp or access point View the q u a r t e r l y F W C ’ s F r e s h w a t e r F i s h i n g Forecasts by region.

For more information about license-free fishing weekends, including fishing tips and regulations, visit MyFWC com/LetsGoFishing Anglers can also download the Fish|Hunt FL app, available for free on Apple and Android smartphones, to access regulations, season dates, and more

Capt George Tunison

Cape Museum of History to celebrate 43rd birthday June 10

Join the Cape Coral Museum of History in celebration of 43 years collecting, preserving and sharing the history of Cape Coral with a free Museum Open House and Birthday Celebration, Saturday, June 10, from 9 a m to 2 p m

Bring the family and learn about the history of our great city

The event schedule includes:

■ 9 a m - noon: Vintage Car Display featuring vehicles from the Hot Chilli Rods and the Cape Coral Cobra Club

■ Entertainment provided by “A Moment in Time” with

Robert Gonnelli

■ 10 a m - 2pm: Museum Open House, free to all visitors

■ 11 a m : “Lies that Came True” book presentation and limited re-release

The museum has recently acquired the rights to the much sought-after out-of-print local history book titled "Lies That Came True" by Eileen Bernard Join Gloria Tate at 11 a m as she discusses the significance of the book and its lore

The Museum Store will have a limited initial batch of

books on hand for sale Pre-sales will be taken for additional orders "Lies That Came True" retails for $20 plus tax As always museum members receive 10% off all museum store purchases

Scoop Me Up Ice Cream Truck will be on site all day from 9 a m to 2 p m The museum will be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers for a donation during the day There will also be birthday themed goodies to grab inside the museum

The Museum of History is at 544 Cultural Park Blvd , Cape Coral Call 239-772-7037 for more information

Love of palms: Proper selection and care of popular native plant

From page 25

which bans fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus during the rainy season Here in Cape Coral, the fertilizer ban runs from June 1 to Sept 30

Another critical rule of thumb involves pruning Again, specific palms require particular pruning practices, but a

TIDES CHART

good rule of thumb regarding the removal of palm fronds is, “If it’s not deceased, leave it in peace!” As palm fronds begin to wither and die, the rest of the palm extracts nutrients from them Premature pruning may starve the palm from essential and easy to consume nutrients

In addition, pruning living, green fronds limits the palms ability for photosynthesis, the process of capturing sunlight to make food from carbon dioxide and water, thus starving the palm

Beware of landscapers who suggest severe over-pruning of palms known as “hurricane-cuts!” Not only does this practice contribute to starving your palm, but it can also over-stress your palm This stress can make it susceptible to disease and insect infestation It can also contribute to a narrowing of the trunk, smaller fronds and an overall weaker structure A thriving palm has a robust, rounded green canopy and does not resemble a feather-duster Following these general rules of thumb and the specific needs of your particular palm will result in a healthy, happy palm that

accents your tropical landscape. Happy gardening!

Deborah Haggett is a Lee County Master Gardener Volunteer and a member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral Visit us at www gardenclubofcapecoral com

References

Broschat, T K (2020, October 15) Pruning Palms edis ifas ufl edu Retrieved May 26, 2023, from https://edis ifas ufl edu/publication/EP443

Gardeningchannel. (2021). What are the 12 palm trees native to Florida? Gardening Channel https://www gardeningchannel com/12-palm-trees-native-to-florida/ Wooten, H (2021, March 8) Your Palms Might Be HANGRY- Here Is How To Feed Them! - UF/IFAS Extension Orange County UF/IFAS Extension Orange County https://blogs ifas ufl edu/orangeco/2021/03/08/ your-palms-might-be-hangry-here-is-how-to-feed-them/

Debating: Best hooks and baits for tarpon

From page 26

it’s a toss-up between large live baits or large dead baits like a mullet head hooked through the lips and soaked on bottom

Instead of a walk the dog retrieve, try a faster, erratic

and splashy retrieve when using a top-water plug for snook in skinny water

Capt George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide You an contact him at 239-282-9434 or via email at captgeorget3@aol com

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Highpoint of Cape Coral residents observe Memorial Day

By FRAN THOMAS news@breezenewspapers com

Highpoint of Cape Coral residents observed Memorial Day early on Thursday with a visit from seven students from Mariner High School’s JROTC Leadership Academy The academy's students go out into the community often to fulfill their mission of becoming better citizens

According to Director of Sales and Marketing Nate Jackson, more than 33 veterans reside at Highpoint Their photos are proudly displayed and fill a whole wall off the lobby Some are World War II veterans; others fought in Korea or Vietnam

Major Bryan Williams, a 25-year veteran, supervises 650 cadets at Mariner They all attend daytime leadership classes About 150 of them participate in eight afterschool activities, and from those students come the ones trained to participate in community events

The ceremony at Highpoint began with the presentation of colors followed by an a cappella rendition of the national anthem by Cadet Greenland She was the only sophomore in the group of seniors and had been given only 12 hours notice to prepare to sing in front of a lobby full of residents Acquiring poise is one of the program’s many benefits

Next, four of the cadets demonstrated the proper way to fold the American flag as Cadet Williams, Chief of Staff, narrated the meaning of each fold

After learning about the meaning of the Missing Man or Fallen Comrade table at the JROTC Ball, the students asked if they could begin the practice in the community

Cadet Williams again described each element on the table One by one, flags were added to the table in honor of Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and fallen heroes of all branches As each flag was pre-

sented, the cadet intoned “Remember ”

Earlier in the week, the students learned about Gold Star families and the significance of red poppies and taps Photos taken at this event along with a narrative were to be assembled into a storyboard and shown to classes on Friday

According to Major Williams, about three to five students from an average senior class of 50 go into the military after high school Of the cadets present at Highpoint, several were going to college under full ROTC scholarships after which they would join the military. All of the JROTC students are required to develop what they call Plan A for their lives Each of them already has a resume Most of this year’s graduating class are going to college or a trade school

Highpoint of Cape Coral is at 1701 Four Mile Cove Parkway Call 239-677-3969 for additional information

Special ceremony pays tribute to sailors lost aboard USS Nimitz

By CJ HADDAD Cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

This Memorial Day in Cape Coral, members of the c o m m u n i t y a n d l o c a l v e t e r a n s g a t h e r e d a t t h e Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center and Museum to pay tribute to those that paid the ultimate sacrifice serving their country

The constant reminder that “freedom isn't free” came from the lips of many speakers Monday morning, while honoring the lives of servicemen and women that didn't make it back home to their loved ones

A special ceremony took place paying homage to the 14 individuals who lost their lives during an incident on the USS Nimitz in 1981 off the coast of Jacksonville, as Cape veteran and business owner Chris Cammarota led the remembrance.

Cammarota was aboard the vessel the day of the accident

“Today is a day we remember all of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and gave their life for their country,” Cammarota said “We also recognize, with gratitude, all those who have served this country, men and women, and who have given us the liberties and freedoms we often take for granted ”

Present during the ceremony were many veterans who served aboard the Nimitz, coming from all over the country to take part A section of the museum is dedicated to USS Nimitz, adorned with uniforms, hats, relics and historical information on the ship

Cammarota said a big part of the display is dedicated to his friend Dennis Driscol, who died in the accident He was 21 Cammarota said he and Driscol had changed positions just 11 days before the incident.

“By the grace of God, that should have been me,” Cammarota said “Most of these men were just out of their teenage years The U S Navy has a habit of turning boys in men "

Cammarota then read the name of the 14 sailors who died As each name was spoken, a Nimitz veteran walked up and rang a bell

On May 26, 1981, a Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler crashed on the flight deck of the USS Nimitz, an aircraft carrier named after World War II Pacific fleet commander Chester W Nimitz The nighttime crash and subsequent explosions and fire either destroyed or damaged 19 other aircrafts The fire was fed by the steady flow of fuel from the punctured tank of a just-refueled aircraft When the fire was believed to be out and orders were given to start the cleanup, a “sparrow” missile warhead detonated, killing two and injuring seven while rekindling the fire It left a 12-inch by 24-inch wide by 3-inch-deep depression in the flight deck Two other warheads detonated after the first explosion

A veteran in attendance who was also aboard the

N i m i t z w h e n t h e a c c i d e n t t o o k p l a c e w a s J o h n Goodwin Goodwin, who served five years in the Navy, traveled from Alabama to take part in the ceremony, and said being around his fellow veterans is a tremendous thing for his spirit

“I really appreciate the effort that goes into this event every year,” said Goodwin, who spent 2 1/2 years aboard the Nimitz working in flight deck fuel “It's done a world of good for my mental health I was lost for years Now, it's much better than it used to be Just being with these guys gives me some relief As long as I am able, I'll be here ”

For Goodwin, Memorial Day means: “So many things So much I've lost members of my family And at that age (when the Nimitz accident occurred), I was 21 and lost most of the friends that I had that surrounded me on the flight deck ”

Another veteran in attendance who served on the Nimitz was Carlos Borbolla He worked on ejection seats, liquid oxygen and other aspects of navigation during his time, and actually left the Navy just two months before the accident

“I was always flight deck, and I always loved nights,” Borbolla said, inferring he would have been in the line of fire if he had been serving still “We used to stand on the foul line and the planes come in so fast Those poor guys that passed away had no chance You can't run away from that It was a very, very said day ”

Borbolla said the fact that Navy sailors are trained on how to fight fires probably made a big difference in how bad the situation could have been

“Unfortunately, those guys were young guys,” he said “When I was on, I was in my 20s It's not an easy life. And right now, there are guys and girls out there doing those same kinds of jobs ”

Borbolla added, “As a country, we need to realize and appreciate our service people Being away for the

A ceremony paying homage to the 14 individuals who lost their lives during a n i n c i d e n t o n t h e U S S Nimitz in 1981 off the coast of Jacksonville took place Monday at the Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center and Museum in Cape Coral. Present for the ceremony were veterans who served aboard the Nimitz, coming from all over the country to take part

CJ HADDAD

holidays, I remember all of that Christmas, I'm in the Mediterranean or in the Indian Ocean But this is nice remembering our fallen "

Borbolla said it's a great time getting together with his fellow Nimitz family He said he and another attendee of the ceremony served on the ship at the same time, and didn't know one another while they were on deck until the other veteran's brother connected the pair

“We were able to share stories,” Borbolla said Memorial Day for Borbolla means: “Thanking those that have passed on that have done the ultimate sacrifice for our country There's also a lot of folks that we haven't recovered there's many of them Now there are some organizations that are actively looking for them, and hopefully can find more, that was the families have closure It's in the thousands ”

The president and founder of the Brotherhood of Heroes, Dr Carol Rae Culliton, thanked all in attendance for their support and said, "This is a day we must remember our fallen heroes If it wasn't for these brave men and women, our country would not be what it is We wouldn't have the blessings and freedoms we have now Spend time remembering our heroes and what they gave us "

Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter said Monday was "a special day to remember all of our members who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country Those families who have lost loved ones -- Memorial Day is every day to them

“Those families have to live that each and every day I ask that we pray for those families and give them the strength ”

For more information, visit www thebrotherhoodofheroes com

REAL ESTATE

trust created in 1998 will help children avoid probate

(Editor’s note: The following column was published previously in The Breeze.)

Dear Mr Feichthaler:

We hold our residence in a living trust we created back in 1998 We have read your columns before about life estate deeds, and wonder if the trust should give the property to the trust through a life estate deed, with our two children receiving the property at our passing Should we do this so we avoid probate?

John and Dorothy R

April condo sales down, listings up as market softens

The month of April has been a big month in the Cape Coral condo market for the past several years In fact, the alltime single month record high for the number of closed condo sales in the Cape occurred back in April 2021 with 132 closed sales The peak month for condo sales in 2022, despite a sharp 30 % decline from 2021, was also in April with 92 closed sales

Dear John and Dorothy,

We have many clients that created living (or revocable) trusts in the 1990s, primarily to mitigate the potential bite of the estate tax Today, with an exemption of over $12 million per person, this is no longer a concern for anyone I know The trust still does provide a benefit, in that any assets titled to it will avoid probate The assets also have the potential to be shielded from the creditors of your beneficiaries

H ow ever, the “s eas on” appears to have ended a bit earlier this year as there were only 49 condo sales posted in the Cape this April, likely shifting the peak month for condo sales in 2023 into the month of March with 74 closed sales Clearly, the condo market has slowed down and leveled off in a much needed pause As you look at the condo market numbers below, we would point out both the change in the market dynamics and the growing divergence between the number of listings and list prices versus the number of pending sales and pending sales prices, along with the number of closed sales and median sales prices These numbers seem to be indicating a continued softening in our condo market

Bob and Geri Quinn

Homing In

171 active condo listings in the Cape at prices ranging from $176,100 to $1 9 million, with the median list price also at $320,000 At that time, there were 35 c o n d o u n i t s l i s t e d a t $ 2 5 0 , 0 0 0 a n d under, including only 8 condos priced below $200,000 and 23 condos priced above $500,000 with 7 of these listed above $1 million About one year ago on June 7, 2022, there were only 105 active listings for condos in the Cape through t h e M L S a t p r i c e s r a n g i n g f r o m $ 1 5 9 , 0 0 0 t o $ 1 7 m i l l i o n , w i t h t h e median list price at $315,000

P Feichthaler Real Estate Law

A trust is similar to a corporate entity, in that it does not have a natural “Death ” I assume your trust provides that your two children are the beneficiaries of your trust? If so, when you both pass, the successor trustee would distribute the assets (including your residence) to the two of them, and the property would not have to go through probate Due to the nature of trusts, the trust cannot be a life tenant through a life estate deed, so you would not have a trust AND a life estate deed impacting your home

One thing to consider is to deed the property out of our trust and into your individual names, then execute an enhanced life estate deed naming your two children Most of my clients prefer this method, which leads to an immediate ownership by the beneficiaries at death If you are considering this option, I do recommend you speak with an attorney first, as your trust may still provide you some of the benefits you sought when you created it in 1998

Eric P Feichthaler has lived in Cape Coral for over 35 years and graduated from Mariner High School in Cape Coral After completing law school at Georgetown U n i v e r s i t y i n W a s h i n g t o n , D C , h e r e t u r n e d t o Southwest Florida to practice law and raise a family He served as mayor of Cape Coral from 2005-2008, and continues his service to the community through the Cape Coral Caring Center, Cape Coral Museum of History, and Cape Coral Kiwanis He has been married to his wife, Mary, for over 20 years, and they have four children together He earned his board certification in Real Estate Law from the Florida Bar He is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell for professional ethics and legal ability, and is a Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. He can be reached at eric@capecoralattorney com, or 239-542-4733

This article is general in nature and not intended as legal advice to anyone Individuals should seek legal counsel before acting on any matter of legal rights and obligations

As of Tuesday, May 30, there were a total of 252 active listings for Cape Coral condos through a Realtor in the Multiple Listing Service at prices ranging from $135,000 to $3 9 million The median list price for Cape condos came in at $320,000 and there were a total of 52 units available at $250,000 and under, including 15 units priced below $200,000

At the other end of the price spectrum, there were 62 condos in the Cape at list prices of $500,000 and up, with 18 of these units priced at $1 million and above This compares to a month ago on April 25, when there were 230 active condo listings in the Cape with a median list price of $314,950 Going back to Jan 5 of this year, there were

There are currently 78 pending condo sales in the Cape (as of May 30) at prices ranging from $159,900 to $649,000 with a median pending sales price of $297,000 This includes 23 units under contract at $250,000 and under, and a total of 49 condos or 62 8% of the pending condo sales in the Cape priced at $325,000 and under. At the higher end of our market, there were only 3 condos under contract with a buyer at $599,000 to $649,900 A month ago on April 25, there were 86 pending condo sales in the Cape at prices ranging from $169,500 to $725,000 with the median pending sales price at $300,000 On Jan 5 of this year, there were 54 pending condo sales ranging from $150,000 to $2 195 million, and on June 7, 2022, there were 75 Cape Coral condos under contract as pending sales Two years ago on June 9, 2021, there were 127 pending condo sales in the pipeline with only 50 active condo listings through a Realtor in the Cape priced from $95,000 to $1 025 million

In the overall Cape condo market, there were 49 closed sales in the month of April, which was 46 7% lower than the 92 closed condo sales in April 2022, and 33 8% below the 74 sales in March of this year In the first four months

See APRIL, page 17

REAL ESTATE BRIEFS

Gentile receives top honor, named among women of influence

LandQwest Commercial Property Management has announced that its president, Mary Gentile, CRX, CSM, is among the GlobeSt com - Real Estate Forum Class of 2023 Women of Influence

The Women of Influence program recognizes a growing number of commercial real estate female professionals for remarkable achievements in the Commercial Real Estate industry These women demonstrate excellence in their fields, showing a commitment to mentorship and collaboration, and making positive community impacts.

As president of LandQwest Property Management, Gentile drives the company's growth and success With over 25 years of experience, she oversees "the company’s multi-state portfolio to enhance commercial real estate asset values "

Her reputation as a trusted client partner was key to LandQwest’s Property Management portfolio expansion, now over 3 million square feet in retail, office, and industrial assignments

Visit lqwest com/estate agent/mary-gentile for more about Mary Gentile, CRX, CSM

Christopher Alan Homes’ Schmoyer speaks at Builder 100 Leadership Summit

Schmoyer was a featured panelist at the 2023 Builder 100 Leadership Summit, an annual conference attracting the nation’s top homebuilders, developers and industry leaders

“Building on Margins: Lessons from the Top Private Builders,” sharing the innovative, strategic and personal approaches to business which have guided Christopher Alan Homes’ success in the highly competitive Florida market

The 2023 summit was held May 1-3 at The RitzCarlton in Dana Point, Calif. Presented annually by Builder Magazine, the conference is considered a mustattend event for the country’s senior-level builders, developers, financial experts and sales and marketing executives

Christopher Alan Homes is also the exclusive builder in the Creekside Run neighborhood at Babcock Ranch, America’s first solar-powered town; builds single-family homes in Burnt Store Village; and recently introduced the second development phase of The Hammocks in West Port The company also builds on scattered homesites in Lee, Charlotte and Sarasota counties in Southwest Florida and Melbourne and Palm Bay on Florida’s east central Space Coast, and is planning to open a new division in Tampa mid-2023

For additional information about Christopher Alan Homes, please call 855-44-MYCAH or visit online at www ChristopherAlanHomes com

Lewellen and Creel join Weicher t, Realtors – Agency ONE

Weichert, Realtors - Agency ONE has announced that Diane Lewellen and Sergio Creel have joined its team of agents

Living

Eric

April: Condominium sales in city are down, listings are up

From page 16

of 2023, there were a total of 194 condos sold overall in the Cape, which was down 29 5% from the 275 condo units sold in the first four months of 2022, and down from 373 sales through April of 2021

The April median sales price came in at $310,000 for the overall Cape Coral condo market, which was 12 7% above the $275,000 posted in April 2022, and 5 1% higher than the $295,000 in March of this year In the first four m o n t h s o f 2 0 2 3 , t h e m e d i a n s a l e s p r i c e a v e r a g e d $282,500 per month in our overall condo market, or 3.4% above the average of $273,188 per month in the first four months of 2022, and up from $199,600 in 2021

Gulf access canal condos

The Cape Coral gulf access canal condo segment, which includes all “saltwater” canal condos, had 30 closed sales in April This was down 23 1% from 39 sales in April of 2022, and 6 3% below the 32 sales in March of this year In the first four months of 2023, there were a total of 94 saltwater condos sold in the Cape, down 27 7% from 130 units sold in the first four months of 2022, and down from 172 sales through April 2021.

The April median sales price was $340,361 for the Cape’s saltwater canal condo segment, down 2 8% from $350,000 in April 2022, but up 0 62% from $338,250 in March of this year In the first four months of 2023, the median sales price in this segment averaged $342,140 per

From page 16

As Weichert affiliated agents, Lewellen and Creel have access to in-depth training programs, the latest technology and top sales and marketing tools to help provide the best possible real estate service to their clients L e w e l l e n h a s w o r k e d i n t h e r e a l e s t a t e i n d u s t r y f o r t h e p a s t 1 7 y e a r s a n d i s a m e m b e r o f t h e N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n o f R e a l t o r s S h e h o l d s a n e - P R O c e r t i f i c a -

month, up 6 7% versus the average of $320,625 per month in the first four months of 2022, and up from $228,063 through April of 2021

Direct sailboat access canal condos

In the Cape Coral direct sailboat access canal condo segment, which is a subgroup of gulf access condos where boaters have no bridges to go under in the canal system, there were 21 closed sales in April This was down 25% from 28 condos sold in April 2022, but 5% above the 20 sold in March of this year. In the first four months of 2023, there were a total of 55 condos sold in this segment, down 32 9% from 82 sailboat access condo units sold in the first four months of 2022, and down from 93 sales through April of 2021

The April median sales price came in at $372,500 for the Cape’s direct sailboat access condo segment, up 6 4% from $350,000 in April 2022, but down 15 3% from $440,000 in March of this year In the first four months of 2023, the median sales price in this segment averaged $384,375 per month, up 8 1% versus the average of $355,488 per month in the first four months of 2022, and up from $279,300 through April 2021.

Dry lot condos

In the Cape Coral dry lot (non-canal) condo segment, there were 17 closed sales in April, which was 64 6% lower than the 48 condos sold in April 2022, and 50% below the 34 sales in March of this year In the first four

REAL ESTATE BRIEFS

t i o n , w h i c h h e l p e d h e r m a s t e r a d v a n c e d d i g i t a l m a r k e ti n g t e c h n i q u e s f o r h o m e b u y e r s a n d s e l l e r s A n a t i v e o f E l w o o d , I n d i a n a , L e w e l l e n e a r n e d a d e g r e e f r o m B a l l S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

Creel has worked in the real estate industry for the past 15 years and has background in industrial real estate development A native of Miami Beach, he holds a law degree and is fluent in both English and Spanish Weichert, Realtors - Agency ONE is an independently

months of 2023, there were a total of 81 dry lot condos sold in the Cape, which was 33 6% less than the 122 dry lot condo units sold in the first four months of 2022, and down from 160 sales in April 2021

The April median sales price came in at $250,000 for the Cape’s dry lot condo segment, which was 0 8% below the $252,000 posted in April 2022, and 5 1% less than the $263,500 in March of this year In the first four months of 2023, the median sales price in this segment averaged $241,625 per month, or 7% above the average of $225,781 per month in the first four months of 2022, and up from $154,736 in April 021

The sales data for this article was obtained from the Florida Realtors Multiple Listing Service Matrix for Lee County, Fla , as of May 29, 2023, unless otherwise noted It was compiled by Bob and Geri Quinn and it includes information specifically for Cape Coral condominiums, townhouses and villas, and it does not include any singlefamily homes, short sales or foreclosures The data and statistics are believed to be reliable, however, they could be updated and revised periodically, and are subject to change without notice The Quinns are a husband and wife real estate team with the RE/MAX Realty Team office in Cape Coral They have lived in Cape Coral for over 43 years Geri has been a full-time Realtor since 2005, and Bob joined Geri as a full-time Realtor in 2014 Their real estate practice is mainly focused on Cape Coral residential property and vacant lots

owned and operated Weichert affiliate The company serves Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples and surrounding areas in Southwest Florida

For additional information about Weichert, RealtorsAgency ONE, located at 8191 College Parkway, Suite 206, in Fort Myers and 1113 S E 47th Terrace, Suite 7, in Cape Coral, contact Megan Eister at 239-415-6500 or visit weichertagencyone com

Estero Island DAR Chapter holds Memorial Day ser vice

The Estero Island DAR Chapter hosted a Memorial Day Service Monday at Eco Park in Cape Coral. The Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 594, joined in with a 12-gun salute and the playing of "taps" after members of the DAR placed a wreath and read names of the fallen solders who are listed on the wall of the Vietnam Memorial. From left are Lynne Holden, Rachel Carrier, Karen Yakubec, Connie Lizak, Alice Macomber, Patricia Elkin, Arlene Pulner, Betsi Bastian, Karen Sick and Maryola Dannebaum, all members of the DAR

RELIGION NOTES

Epiphany Episcopal Church announces summer schedule for mass times

Starting Sunday June 4, there will be one 9:30 a m service on Sundays at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Cape Coral

On Sunday, Oct 1, the 8 a m and 9:30 a m service schedule will resume All are welcome to attend this friendly church, located at 2507 Del Prado Blvd , S Any questions should be directed to the church office at 239-574-3200

Lee County Clerk to host free webinar on how to file a small claims lawsuit

Lee County Clerk Kevin Karnes is hosting a free webinar on how to file a small claims lawsuit from the convenience of your home computer The virtual class will be held 2 p m Wednesday, June 14, via Zoom

During the session, attendees will be taught about the entire process of filing a small claims case, including:

■ What constitutes a small claims case

■ The forms needed to file the case

■ Where to go in the Justice Center if you’re filing inperson

■ Next steps after you’ve filed the case

■ The hearing process & methods of collection postjudgment

Small claims lawsuits are civil disputes of $8,000 or less To register for “How To File a Small Claims Case,” visit www leeclerk org/learning A recorded version of the webinar will be provided on the clerk’s website

This class is part of the “How To” series provided by t h e c l e r k ’ s o f f i c e t o e d u c a t e t h e c o m m u n i t y a b o u t resources available to them The series also includes tutorials on how to apply for a passport and marriage license as well as how to seal and expunge a criminal record Visit www leeclerk org/howto to learn more

About the Clerk of Court office:

The Florida Constitution established the Clerk of the Circuit Court as a public trustee, responsible for safeguarding public records and public funds Clerk Kevin Karnes is directly elected by and accountable to Lee County residents In addition to the role of Clerk of the Circuit Court, the clerk is the County Recorder and clerk of the Board of County Commissioners and the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Auditor for Lee County

PHOTO PROVIDED

City’s fertilizer restrictions begin

With the rainy season just around the corner, the city of Cape Coral reminds everyone that fertilizer use rules changed on June 1

Applying fertilizer containing phosphorus or nitrogen is prohibited from June 1 through Sept 30 Eliminating the use of phosphorus and nitrogen during the wet season helps to protect our canals and waterways, quality of life, and economy

Excess nutrients can cause harmful algal blooms that can cause fish kills, harm pets and wildlife, and potentially injure people who encounter it

Critical points of the fertilizer ordinance to remember:

■ No fertilizer is allowed if a flood w a t c h / w a r n i n g , a t r o p i c a l s t o r m

LCEC announces Power Cost Adjustment decrease

watch/warning is in effect

■ Fertilizer cannot be used within 15 feet of any body of water

■ Phosphorus fertilizer is prohibited any time of year unless a soil test in the past two years identifies a phosphorus deficiency

■ The percentage of slow-release nitrogen content in any fertilizer used during the remainder of the year (October-May) must be at least 50 percent

■ No grass clippings or vegetative d e b

stormwater drains, conveyances, bodies of water, sidewalks, or roadways F

net

A Power Cost Adjustment decrease of approximately 9 8% (average bill of 1,000 kWh) will be implemented for LCEC customers on June 1 The decrease is the result of cost recovery forecasts and budget projections related to purchased power costs passed on from the LCEC power supplier,

cost to generate power rises and falls

PCA charges are determined to adjust for or anticipate costs for purchased power

Since 2014, there have been five PCA decreases There are no margins (profit) earned on the power cost portion of the customer bill, it is simply a pass-through to FPL.

Power cost adjustments are not unique to LCEC Energy suppliers have adjust-

ments based on variable fuel costs related to power production

Residential Customer Bill per 1,000 kWh

Customer Charge -- $18

kWh Cost -- $81.20

Power Cost Adjustment -- $41

Total -- $140 20 (decrease of 14 50)

In order to assist customers having a hardship with their electric bills, LCEC partners with United Way to offer energy assistance through the Power to Share Program The program is funded by LCEC employees and customers to help qualified customers in need of electric bill payment assistance Those able to round up their monthly bill to the nearest dollar can contribute to the fund by visiting https://customer lcec net/LCEC public/pages/roundu p/billroundup xhtml

Wetmore named to JSU spring 2023 President's List

J A C K S O N V I L L E , A L - - E l i z a b e t h

Grace Wetmore of Cape Coral has been n a m e d t o t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s L i s t a t Jacksonville State University for her outstanding academic performance over the Spring 2023 semester To be named to the President's List, students must earn a perfect 4 0 GPA for the semester while completing at least 12 hours of GPA course credit

Founded in 1883 as a state teachers college, J acks onville S tate U nivers ity has grown from humble beginnings into the Alabama regional university with the highe s t p e r c e n t a g e o f a c c r e d i t e d p r o g r a m s Located in the Appalachian foothills midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, JSU offers more than 150 courses of study, including over 40 online programs, at the undergraduate and graduate level

To learn more, visit www jsu edu, call 1 - 8 0 0 - 2 3 1 - J A X 1 o r e - m a i l jaxfacts@jsu edu

Meredith receives degree from Mar yville College

MARYVILLE, Tenn - James Meredith received a bachelor of arts from Maryville College during May 6 Commencement exercises held on campus in Maryville, Tennessee

Meredith is a native of Cape Coral and a graduate of Mariner High School who majored in management

M a r y v i l l e C o l l e g e i s a n a t i o n a l l yranked institution of higher learning and one of America's oldest colleges, offering nearly 1,200 students from around the world more than 60 majors, seven pre-pro-

EDUCATION NOTES

fessional programs and career preparation

F

https://www maryvillecollege edu/

Chatham University Falk School of Sustainability & Environment announces

Dean’s List for spring 2023

PITTSBURGH, Pa - The following stud e n t h a s b e e n n a m e d t o t h e C h a t h a m

University Falk School of Sustainability & Environment Dean's List for the Spring 2023 term To be eligible for Dean's List, students must carry a GPA of at least 3 5 and complete a minimum of 12 credits for a letter grade ■ Ariel Garbin of Cape Coral

C h a t h a m U n i v e r s i t y i s l o c a t e d o n Woodland Road in Pittsburgh For more about the university and its programs, visit https://www chatham edu

School District of Lee County’s Summer School options on website

The School District of Lee County has announced a special webpage has been created to make searching for summer school options simpler Parents only need to log on to https://sites google com/leeschools n e t / l e e - c o u n t y - s u m m e r - c a m p s / h o m e t o view and learn about the more than 30 camps and programs

Summer school options are available for PreK through 12th grade students Each camp is taught by a certified educator and offers rigorous and engaging curriculum Some camps are by invitation only and invitations to those programs have already been sent out

The webpage offers easy to use links for students by grade level and programs, while also providing a link to transportation questions

their peers on the merits of their communit y a n d s t a t e c o l l e g e c o n t r i b u t i o n s a n d achievements as well as significant accomplishments

B e a r d , F S W s e n i o r c o o r d i n a t o r o f S t u d e n t T r a n s i t i o n s , b e g a n s e r v i n g t h e Florida College System since 2009 when he was a student at the College of Central Florida, where he was a member of the Student Government Association In his role at FSW, Beard oversees numerous college programs and initiatives focused on student success and achievement He also s e r v e s a s c o - a d v i s o r o f t h e S t u d e n t Government Association

Lopez ear ns

associate degree at SAU Tech

EAST CAMDEN, Arkansas -- SAU

Tech has announced that Tatiana Lopez from Cape Coral has earned an associate degree in health sciences -- practical nursi

SAU Tech is a two-year public college part of the Southern Arkansas University System The college began in 1968 and has an average enrollment of over 1,800 students SAU Tech operates under the governance of the board of trustees of the Southern Arkansas University System in Magnolia, Arkansas

For additional information, please visit https://www sautech edu/

Summer school programs start as early as June 8 and end no later than July 20 Parents are encouraged to register quickly so as not to miss the deadlines

FSW employee and alumna win state awards

FORT MYERS – The Florida College S y s t e m A c t i v i t i e s A s s o c i a t i o n r e c e n t l y n a m e d F l o r i d a S o u t h W e s t e r n S t a t e College’s Dr Jackie Beard and Dr Sue Buntic to the FCSAA Hall of Fame for their work and support of the Florida College System The FCSAA Hall of Fame is comprised of administrators, coaches, advisors, officials, students and other nominees that have contributed a minimum of 10 years to FCSAA or one of its member institutions They have been selected by

FSW alumna Buntic returned to her alma matter and served in roles at the college for 11 years including FSW’s first student life specialist and assistant director of S t u d e n t L i f e S h e s p e a r h e a d e d F S W ’ s C o l l e g e w i d e S t u d e n t G o v e r n m e n t Association and developed collegewide civic engagement volunteer opportunities via internal college and community partn e r s i n c l u d i n g t h e A m e r i c a n H e a r t A s s o c i a t i o n , A m e r i c a n C a n c e r Association, and Habitat for Humanity She currently serves as the social studies d e p a r t m e n t c h a i r a t L a B e l l e M i d d l e School

F l o r i d a S o u t h W e s t e r n S t a t e C o l l e g e annually serves more than 18,000 students globally, offering a variety of nationallyranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees and professional certifications. Study and travel abroad opportunities are available for stud e n t s t h r o u g h F S W ’ s C e n t e r f o r International Education

For additional information about the a w a r d s o r t h e c o l l e g e , p l e a s e v i s i t www FSW edu for more information